Do not ignore it, and do not attend without advice. Read the notice carefully to understand whether you are asked to appear as a person whose conduct is being examined, to provide information, or to produce documents. Contact a lawyer immediately so that the response can be planned, relevant records gathered and any risk of arrest assessed. In many cases, a written response or a request for a short adjournment is appropriate. Prepare for questioning on the specific transactions involved, and keep a careful record of everything provided. Early, measured white collar defence avoids avoidable mistakes.

Sometimes. If proceedings disclose no offence, rest on a dispute that is purely civil in nature, lack a required sanction, or are otherwise an abuse of the process of the court, the High Court Division may quash them using its inherent powers or stay them pending a decision. Writ remedies can be available against unlawful action by investigating authorities. Discharge applications before the trial court at the charge stage are another route. These remedies are discretionary and fact-specific, so an honest assessment of the record is essential before deciding which application to bring. We give that view candidly.

Yes, bail can be granted, but courts look closely at the seriousness of the allegations, the amount involved, the evidence collected, the risk of flight and the possibility of interference with witnesses or evidence. Practice also varies with the stage of the case and the court. Anticipatory bail may be sought where arrest is apprehended, and the High Court Division can grant bail where lower courts refuse. A well-prepared application that addresses the specific concerns of the court, with supporting documents, is usually far more effective than a generic one. White collar defence teams should prepare it early.

Accounts can be frozen or suspended through orders obtained by investigating agencies, by the financial intelligence unit for a limited period, or through court orders in criminal proceedings. The first step is to identify who made the order, under which power, and for how long it runs. Depending on the answer, it may be possible to challenge the order, seek its variation to release funds for legitimate expenses such as salaries and legal fees, or apply for it to be lifted once the initial period ends. Swift white collar defence action is important, because delays compound the commercial damage.

Bangladesh law allows offences to be committed by companies in many contexts, and several statutes, including money laundering, securities and tax laws, provide that directors, managers and other officers may be liable for offences committed by the company unless they show they lacked knowledge or exercised due diligence. In practice, cases often name both the company and its senior officers. That makes coordinated but independent representation important. The company's interests and those of each individual may differ, especially where one person's explanation shifts responsibility onto another. We plan white collar defence for both sides of that line.

Timescales vary widely. An inquiry may be closed within months, or may continue for years before a charge sheet is filed. Trials before Special Judges and other courts can then take a considerable time, depending on witness availability, the court's list and any interim applications or appeals in higher courts. Clients need a strategy that protects their position over the long term, including bail conditions that work in practice, arrangements for business continuity and reputation management, and regular review of whether a case can be brought to an end sooner. Patience and planning both matter.

Foreign nationals may face travel restrictions that prevent them leaving the country, visa and work permit complications, and challenges communicating in Bangla in proceedings. Embassies can provide some consular support but cannot intervene in the case. The home-country employer may also face its own exposure under foreign anti-bribery or fraud laws. We advise foreign executives on their rights, work with interpreters to ensure accurate communication, coordinate with counsel abroad and the employer's legal team, and seek orders allowing travel where the court can be satisfied that the person will return.

Cost depends on the stage of the case, the volume of documents, the number of hearings and whether proceedings run in several courts at once. Investigation-stage advice and a single bail application are more contained than a full trial with many witnesses. We agree the scope of each phase in advance, explain likely hearings and steps, and report on progress so that clients can plan. Where a company funds the defence of its officers, we advise on the terms of that arrangement and on any directors and officers insurance cover that may apply. Clear phases keep costs visible.