2017 was an important year for the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”). The Government’s plan to merge the SFO with the National Crime Agency was scrapped, seemingly securing the SFO’s future as an independent investigator and prosecutor. 2018 looks set to be equally important. Director of the SFO, David Green, is due to step down, […]

On 8 July 2016, Sir Brian Leveson LJ approved a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) between the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and a company, XYZ, for offences of conspiracy to corrupt, conspiracy to bribe and failure to prevent bribery (under s.7 Bribery Act 2010) in relation to offending between 2004 and 2012. The financial terms of […]

The case was the first in relation to Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) in the UK AND Disposal of an offence under section 7 of the UK Bribery Act in respect of failing to prevent bribery by an associated person. First Deferred Prosecution Agreement in UK The DPA relates to allegations that the Bank failed, contrary […]

LONDON, Nov 30 ICBC Standard Bank Plc agreed to pay nearly $37 million and enter into a British financial regulator’s first deferred prosecution agreement to end probes into bribery of officials in Tanzania. The accord marks the first time that Britain’s Serious Fraud Office has used a DPA, which typically lets a company avoid prosecution […]

A proposal to enter into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (“DPA”) with Standard Bank Plc (now known as ICBC Standard Bank Plc), has already been approved in principle by Lord Justice Leveson.  On Monday, 30th November 2015, the SFO will apply for final approval of the DPA before the same judge at Southwark Crown Court, sitting […]

The U.K. Serious Fraud Office is seeking to enter into a plea agreement with ICBC Standard Bank Plc, marking the first deferred prosecution agreement the agency has issued since receiving new powers last year. The deal, which was approved in principle in a private hearing with Judge Brian Leveson, will go before a London court […]

The Sentencing Council’s Guideline for sentencing individuals and corporate offenders convicted of fraud, bribery and money laundering offences comes into effect on 1 October 2014 as part of a package to support the introduction of Deferred Prosecution Agreements (“DPAs”). DPAs are an alternative to criminal prosecution, and are intended to address the commission of “economic […]

Deferred Prosecution Agreements (“DPAs”), the Government’s newest weapon in the fight against corporate crime, become available to prosecutors from 24 February 2014. They will widen the scope for enforcement against companies and corporate entities involved in fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption. On 14 February 2014, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office and the […]