header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
01 September 2023 / Kate Bridgland , Oliver Cooke , Richard Marshall
Issue: 8038 / Categories: Features , Fraud , Criminal , Disclosure
printer mail-detail

The UK financial crime regime: fit for purpose?

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
135274
In the first of a three-part series on the changing economic crime landscape in the UK, Kate Bridgland, Oliver Cooke & Richard Marshall put Serious Fraud Office prosecutions in the dock
  • Several high-profile failed prosecutions have left the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) facing criticism.
  • Significant further investment is required to allow the SFO to succeed.

The collapsed prosecution of three former executives at security contractor G4S Care and Justice Services earlier this year is the latest unfortunate result for the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in its attempts to bring charges against employees after reaching deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) with their employers.

G4S supplied electronic monitoring services to the government between 2005 and 2013. It was subsequently accused of misleading the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in relation to the extent of the profits it generated from this ‘tagging’ contract. In July 2020, G4S entered into a DPA with the SFO, agreeing to pay a penalty of £38.5m plus a contribution to the

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

Read All
Sponsored by
Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn adds employee benefits and executive compensation practice in London with partner Richard Surtees

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL appoints new partner and head of intellectual property disputes

Muckle LLP—Roland Fairlamb

Muckle LLP—Roland Fairlamb

Specialist associate solicitor rejoins Muckle’s leading employment team

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: Property cases reshape established principles
A series of recent decisions has clarified important principles across property law, from perpetuities to lease renewals and public rights over land
NLJ this week: Stress ruling raises the bar for employers
Employers cannot rely on wellbeing services alone to defend workplace stress claims after a High Court decision awarding almost £1m to an overworked employee
NLJ this week: Can Manchesterism revive access to justice?
Andy Burnham's brand of 'Manchesterism' could offer fresh thinking on legal aid and access to justice if it reaches Westminster, according to Roger Smith, NLJ columnist and former director of JUSTICE
NLJ this week: Constitutional conventions tested as power changes hands
The constitutional fallout from a change of prime minister, rather than the politics, is under scrutiny as questions arise over the limits of executive authority in a leadership transition
NLJ this week: Lawyers must become product designers
The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift from selling services to creating technology-enabled products, according to Professor Luke Mason, Head of School of Law at Regent's University London
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll