Legal News

Spotlight on Corruption analyses the SFO’s new corporate guidance

Published on: 25 April 2025
Published by LNB News

LNB News 25/04/2025

Document Information

Issue Date: 25 April 2025

Published Date: 25 April 2025

Jurisdiction(s): England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Article summary

Following the publication of the Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) new corporate guidance setting out expectations for Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) and corporate cooperation, Spotlight on Corruption considers whether it will work to tackle corporate crime or whether the guidance is lacking. The guidance promises accelerated response times and clear timelines for investigations, while requiring companies to identify all persons involved in wrongdoing. This forms part of Director Nick Ephgrave's strategy to increase enforcement, following recent investigations into Thales for bribery and the first contested 'failure to prevent bribery' trial. The guidance aims to address declining corporate self-reporting, though critics note it maintains similar treatment for proactive and reactive cooperation.

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