For companies legal privilege represents an essential bulwark against the state. In the case of internal investigations legal privilege is of prime importance to the companies. At crucial points of intersection the legal situation in the US differs from that of Germany. In the US, confidentiality is regarded with the aura of a Holy Grail, applying to in-house counsel and external lawyers alike. However, in Germany those privileges do not apply to in-house counsels and neither are they intended to apply to the corporate lawyer (so-called Syndikus). This is explained by Criminal Law policy arguments, which according to the author\'s opinion are not tenable. This essay represents solutions de lege lata and de lege ferenda, in order to at least include in-house lawyers (so-called Syndikus) within the scope of legal privilege. For this purpose, the author argues in favor of a partial adoption of the American way.

For companies legal privilege represents an essential bulwark against the state. In the case of internal investigations legal privilege is of prime importance to the companies. At crucial points of intersection the legal situation in the US differs from that of Germany. In the US, confidentiality is regarded with the aura of a Holy Grail, applying to in-house counsel and external lawyers alike. However, in Germany those privileges do not apply to in-house counsels and neither are they intended to apply to the corporate lawyer (so-called Syndikus). This is explained by Criminal Law policy arguments, which according to the author\''s opinion are not tenable. This essay represents solutions de lege lata and de lege ferenda, in order to at least include in-house lawyers (so-called Syndikus) within the scope of legal privilege. For this purpose, the author argues in favor of a partial adoption of the American way.

On June 23, 2023, the Professorship for Economic Criminal Law, Compliance, and Digitalization at the University of Liechtenstein successfully continued its hybrid event series, 'Liechtenstein Talks on Economic Criminal Law.' The central theme of the fourth conference was 'Criminal Compliance,' a key focus of the professorship's research. Experts from various countries discussed relevant aspects of compliance, particularly for Liechtenstein as a financial center, through five presentations and subsequent discussions. In her opening speech, Prof. Dr. Konstantina Papathanasiou emphasized the practical significance of 'Criminal Compliance' and its growing importance in economic regulation. The conference covered a wide range of topics, from insights into the role of a compliance officer to internal investigations, compliance risk analysis, and the use of IT tools in data forensics. Papathanasiou also highlighted the recent publication of 'Corporate Criminal Law and Criminal Compliance,' available to participants in the LL.M. program in economic criminal law. The presentations delved into diverse areas, such as the role of a compliance officer in Liechtenstein's financial market, the privatization of law enforcement through internal investigations, data protection in internal investigations, compliance risk analysis, and technological innovations in internal investigations. The speakers discussed tools like whistleblower platforms and AI-supported data forensics, addressing both opportunities and challenges.