Clarity, cooperation and compromise are key parts of the relationship between corporate compliance monitors and the companies they watch. But when the parameters of those relationships are ill-defined, the give and take can get lopsided, according to compliance experts.

The issue of flawed company-monitor relationships came up last week, when a federal judge in Miami raised concerns about Carnival Corp.'s compliance monitor not having enough power to spur systemic change at the cruise line. The company was in court April 10 for allegedly continuing to dump pollutants at sea in violation of an earlier probation agreement.

After the hearing, a Carnival spokesman asserted in a written statement that the cruise line heard the judge's concerns and “will do our utmost to ensure we meet all expectations under the [Environmental Compliance Program] and continue to strive to be best in class on environmental compliance.” He declined to comment beyond the statement.