Open-Source Intelligence
We conduct structured research using public and lawfully accessible sources: corporate registers, court and insolvency records, regulatory databases, media and company disclosures. Each finding is recorded together with its source, so that the client can see what has been established and on what basis.
Scope of research
Corporate structure and beneficial ownership
We map the ownership and control of a company, including parent entities, subsidiaries and related parties, on the basis of available registers and corporate filings across jurisdictions.
Register, litigation and insolvency research
We examine company registers, court records and insolvency proceedings to establish the legal status of an entity and any disputes or proceedings involving it.
Background research on organisations and individuals in key roles
We research the professional history and business connections of directors, shareholders and other individuals in key roles, within the limits of their business activity.
Sanctions and adverse media screening
We check organisations and individuals against EU and international sanctions lists and review published media for reports relevant to the assessment of risk.
Market and competitor research
We gather and organise information on markets, competitors and sector participants to support commercial and strategic decisions.
Outside our scope
We do not use covert methods or pretexting, do not access non-public, leaked or unlawfully obtained data, do not conduct surveillance and do not carry out activities that require a private investigator’s licence. Research does not extend to the private lives of individuals.
Sources
Our research draws exclusively on sources that are public or lawfully accessible. Depending on the jurisdiction and the subject, these include:
- Company and business registers
- Court records and insolvency registers
- Official gazettes and regulatory databases
- EU and international sanctions lists
- Annual reports, filings and company disclosures
- Published media and professional publications
What you receive
- A written report addressed to the questions agreed at the outset
- A map of ownership and control, where relevant
- A list of sources for each finding, with the date of access
- A clear distinction between confirmed facts, indications and unverified information
- A statement of the limits of the research
Research concerning individuals
Where research concerns individuals, it is limited to their business roles and activity and to what is necessary for the purpose agreed with the client. Personal data is processed in accordance with the GDPR, on the basis of the legitimate interest of the client in assessing a business relationship or transaction. Further information is set out in our Privacy Policy.
Related practice areas
Open-source research underpins much of our other work. Risk Management & Due Diligence applies it to the verification of specific counterparties before a contract or transaction, and Counterparty Identification uses it to find and qualify new partners. Where findings lead to contracts or other documentation, these are prepared through Law27, our document drafting practice.
Discuss the scope
If you need research on a company, a group of companies or a market, describe the matter briefly. We will reply by email to arrange a discussion and propose a scope of work.
If your matter does not fall within the areas described above, describe it briefly. We will advise whether it is within our scope.