A regulator has contacted you
A request for information, an inspection or a proposed interview needs a considered response. We advise on government investigations affecting land, projects, licences and business operations, including how the immediate response may affect later decisions or proceedings.
- Jurisdiction
- New South Wales
- Page type
- Issue overview
- Timing
- Time-sensitive
On this page
This page may be relevant if:
- An authority has requested documents, records or an interview
- An inspection has raised questions about your works or operations
- You need to coordinate a response across staff, contractors or advisers
What this usually means
- The first question is what power the authority relies on and whether each request is voluntary or compulsory. A letter can contain both.
- An investigation, a compliance direction and a prosecution are different processes and may overlap. Identify the actual document and requirements before deciding how to respond.
- Preserve relevant records and obtain advice on privilege and any statutory protections before producing material or answering questions. Do not assume the same protection applies to answers and existing documents.
What commonly matters
-
The request and its scope
Check the named recipient, the information sought, the relevant period and the response date. Separate what the authority asks for from what the notice legally requires.
-
A reliable factual record
Retain original records, including monitoring data, messages and material held by contractors. Record who holds the information and how the response was assembled.
-
The wider consequences
Consider remedial work, licence conditions and possible proceedings together. A response strategy should address legal and expert costs as well as continuing operations.
How we help
- Identify the statutory power and response obligations
- Advise on document production, interviews and regulator correspondence
- Assess enforcement exposure and available responses
This page is general information only and is not legal advice. It may not be current, and how the law applies depends on the specific facts. For advice on your situation, contact Stone & Pillar Legal.
Related situations
- Council & regulatory An authority is proposing an adverse decision Preparing NSW show-cause responses and representations about proposed government decisions, including evidence, statutory criteria and workable alternatives.
- Environment & pollution I received an EPA notice Respond to environmental, pollution, contamination or compliance notices before the issue escalates.
- Water & land A water licence, approval or NRAR issue Water access licences, works approvals, controlled activities, metering rules, NRAR investigations and the 2026 civil-penalty regime.
- Environment & pollution I am facing environmental enforcement or prosecution Investigations, statutory interviews, penalty notices, enforceable undertakings and prosecutions in the Land and Environment Court.
Where to start
Discuss government investigations
Describe the regulator contact and its effect on your operations. A preliminary call can establish whether we can assist with the response.
30 minutes · Phone or Teams · No charge
Complimentary 30-minute preliminary call. No legal advice is provided. Neither booking nor the call engages the firm; we act only once we confirm in writing. Tell us any deadline or response date; it remains your responsibility until we confirm in writing that we act for you. Please give only a brief outline until we confirm in writing that we can act.