header-logo header-logo

29 April 2020 / Annabel Kerley , Jonny Frank
Issue: 7884 / Categories: Features , Criminal
printer mail-detail

Compliance matters: meeting SFO expectations

19888
Jonny Frank & Annabel Kerley offer practical guidance for companies under investigation

 

In brief

 

  • Covers the Serious Fraud Office guidance on compliance programmes.
  • Offers practical tips and steps to follow for companies whose compliance programmes are under investigation.

The UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) published updated guidance within its Operational Handbook on the effectiveness of corporate compliance programmes in January. The guidance, ‘Evaluating a compliance Programme ’, speaks loudly to organisations, both on the importance of effective remediation and being prepared for the SFO to review the compliance programme itself, in addition to a criminal investigation into the underlying facts (see https://bit.ly/2SayBxl).

In these types of enquiries, time is of the essence, so global and UK-based companies must act immediately. To help get started, below are actionable takeaways for remediation tactics that should meet the SFO’s expectations as well as tips to help organisations prepare for an investigation into their compliance programme.

 

Steps for effective remediation

 

In deciding whether to prosecute, the guidance

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Thomson Hayton Winkley—Jordan Wallace

Thomson Hayton Winkley—Jordan Wallace

Thomson Hayton Winkley strengthens family law team

Ward Hadaway—Barnaby Rosenthall

Ward Hadaway—Barnaby Rosenthall

Construction lawyer returns to Ward Hadaway in Teesside role

Bird & Bird—Shahin Baghaei

Bird & Bird—Shahin Baghaei

Bird Bird hires leading legal transformation expert

NEWS
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

How forcefully can a litigant criticise a public authority before robust advocacy crosses the line into unreasonable conduct? 
back-to-top-scroll