Dawn raids & external investigations

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The UK Government has legislated to permit a number of UK authorities to obtain search warrants to 'raid' a business premises.

The potential for a dawn raid to be executed against a company is an everyday reality for many businesses, given the increasing criminalisation of business practices, growing numbers of regulatory criminal offences and the proliferation of money laundering laws and regulations. The prospect of an intervention by UK authorities has increased since the introduction of the Bribery Act 2010 and the corporate offence of failure to prevent bribery, which is mirrored by a corporate offences of failure to prevent tax evasion and failure to prevent fraud, and the expansion of corporate criminal liability.

What is a dawn raid?

A dawn raid is an unexpected visit by the police and/or investigators from another prosecution body to search premises when they suspect the business or an individual has been involved in criminal activity. Investigators typically arrive unannounced first thing in the morning (hence 'dawn' raids) and are always meant to be unexpected to ensure that evidence is best preserved for the search. Investigators often take an aggressive

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Latest Risk & Compliance News

FATF announces new mutual evaluation framework to strengthen global illicit finance defences

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has convened  its annual high-level meeting with the nine FATF-Style Regional Bodies (FSRBs) in Strasbourg, announcing the implementation of new mutual evaluations. The Global Network, comprising the FATF and nine FSRBs, representing over 200 jurisdictions, remains committed to combating illicit finance through a unified set of standards and mutual evaluations. The meeting focused on implementing Global Network priorities, particularly preparing members for the upcoming mutual evaluations, which will prioritise effectiveness in tackling money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation risks. All FSRBs aim to complete their first evaluations by late 2026 or early 2027. Additionally, significant emphasis was placed on fostering peer learning, experience sharing and strengthened cohesion within the Global Network, a key priority under the Mexican Presidency.

DSIT welcomes DUA Bill becoming Act of Parliament as DUAA

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has welcomed the Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUA Bill) receiving Royal Assent on 19 June 2025 and becoming law as the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA). DSIT notes that key measures include enabling real-time sharing of healthcare data across NHS services, saving 140,000 hours of admin annually and improving patient care, and the simplification of digital identity verification through certified tools, aiding tasks like renting or job application. The DUAA also introduces legislation to support investigations into child deaths linked to social media by preserving relevant data. Additionally, DSIT underlines that as mandated by the DUAA, a new Information Commission will replace the ICO, with a recruitment drive underway for its board to ensure diverse expertise.

ICO publishes guidance documents and work plan for Data (Use and Access) Act 2025

The Information Commissioner's Office has published several guidance documents and a working plan following the Data (Use and Access) Bill receiving royal assent on 19 June 2025 and becoming an Act of Parliament as the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA). The ICO notes that the main changes to the law include clarifying how personal information can be used for research, lifting restrictions on some automated decision making, setting out how to use some cookies without consent, allowing charities to send people electronic mail marketing without consent in certain circumstances and requiring organisations to have a data protection complaints procedure and introducing a new lawful basis of recognised legitimate interests. The ICO also underlines that the DUAA provides it with new powers including the ability to compel witnesses to attend interviews, request technical reports, and issue higher fines.

Risk & Compliance weekly highlights—19 June 2025

This week's edition of Risk & Compliance weekly highlights includes: the latest Risk & Compliance forecast, notable financial sanctions updates, legislative progress with the Data (Use and Access) Bill, and key developments in FATF standards and SFO funding.

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