UK: white collar crime - year in review

2023 has been a year of change at the SFO with a new Director, enhanced investigatory powers and new statutory regime that will make it easier to prosecute corporate criminal offenders. Dropped investigations and acquittals of individuals following trial remain recurrent themes, however, the new Director has already brought an improved dynamism and speed of decision making to the organisation and there are early signs of a positive change in approach. Meanwhile, the UK's less heralded law enforcement agencies such as His Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and others have displayed their own willingness and ability to investigate and resolve corporate wrongdoing. Lloyd Firth, Fred Saugman, and Chris Ladusans of WilmerHale look back at how the last 12 months have unfolded.

Lloyd Firth (+44 (0)20 7872 1014, lloyd.firth@wilmerhale.com), Counsel; Fred Saugman (+44 (0)20 7872 1690, frederick.saugman@wilmerhale.com), Senior Associate; and Chris Ladusans (+44 (0)20 7872 1015, chris.ladusans@wilmerhale.com), Senior Associate at WilmerHale.

2023 has been a year of change at the SFO with a new Director, enhanced investigatory powers and new statutory regime that will make it easier to prosecute corporate criminal offenders. Dropped investigations and acquittals of individuals following trial remain recurrent themes, however, the new Director has already brought an improved dynamism and speed of decision making to the organisation and there are early signs of a positive change in approach. Meanwhile, the UK's less heralded law enforcement agencies such as His Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and others have displayed their own willingness and ability to investigate and resolve corporate wrongdoing. Lloyd Firth, Fred Saugman, and Chris Ladusans of WilmerHale look back at how the last 12 months have unfolded.