header-logo header-logo

Deferred prosecution agreements—great expectations?

02 July 2021 / Ross Dixon
Issue: 7939 / Categories: Features , Criminal
printer mail-detail
52136
Ross Dixon charts the evolution of deferred prosecution agreements in the UK & assesses their credibility
  • The introduction of DPAs.
  • Significant impact on the legal landscape.
  • Judicial oversight & impact on individuals.

Five years ago, an article in NLJ provoked an interesting debate about deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs), which were then recently introduced and widely hailed as a possible solution to the difficult question of how to deal effectively with corporate crime (see ‘A blessing or a curse?’).

Jonathan Pickworth’s article set out some reasons why a corporate body accused of financial impropriety may not want to sign up to one of these then newly minted deals. It prompted some interesting responses, including one from Matthew Wagstaff, then head of bribery and corruption at the SFO, regarding the necessity or otherwise for companies to waive privilege.

At that stage, however, the debate was largely theoretical. Only one DPA had then been agreed and no one could be certain how DPAs would work in practice. Five years on we have

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

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll