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UK SFO updates Corporate Cooperation Guidance, allowing companies to discuss potential self-reports of fraud, bribery and corruption directly with senior legal counsel

October 13, 2026

The revised guidance clarifies that companies should take a proportionate, risk-based approach to identifying the full extent of suspected criminal conduct. Companies that self-report promptly and cooperate fully will generally be invited to negotiate a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA), unless exceptional circumstances apply. The SFO also confirms that, wherever possible, DPA negotiations should conclude within six months of the company…

UK Govt consults on whistleblowing reforms and proposed financial rewards for reporting economic crime to the SFO, with feedback open until 8 Jan 2027

October 12, 2026

The consultation examines changes to whistleblower protections under the Employment Rights Act 1996, including safeguards against workplace detriment. It also seeks views on a proposed SFO scheme to financially reward individuals who provide information on economic crime. The proposals aim to strengthen whistleblower protections and encourage the reporting of financial wrongdoing. Responses are invited until 8 January 2027…

FCA’s Blog on whistleblower engagement reveals a 22% rise in reports, with 42% of 1,252 closed cases prompting direct action and 53% informing wider regulatory work

October 6, 2026

FCA reported a 22% rise in whistleblowing reports over the previous year. Of the 1,252 reports closed, 42% led to direct action to manage or reduce harm, while 53% informed wider regulatory work and harm prevention. The regulator acknowledged challenges in communicating outcomes to whistleblowers and recognised the personal pressures they may face. Independent non-executive director Lea Paterson will review the FCA’s handling of a…

TI UK’s Closing the Loop report examines the return of UK-recovered assets linked to overseas corruption, finding that over £1.3bn was recovered between 2005–2024

September 9, 2026

The Closing the Loop report identifies weaknesses in the UK’s approach to asset return, particularly where funds are recovered through civil proceedings or settlements without corruption being formally established. TI-UK highlights at least £9.6 million linked to Azerbaijani elites that has been retained by UK authorities and a further £64 million in assets that could encounter similar issues. It recommends widening the circumstances in which recovered assets…

SFO concludes its long-running civil litigation with ENRC, Dechert and David Gerrard through a confidential out-of-court settlement

September 2, 2026

The proceedings followed the SFO’s 2013–2023 investigation into suspected bribery and corruption associated with ENRC’s mining interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere, which closed without charges due to insufficient admissible evidence. The SFO says it has since overhauled its governance, independent oversight and safeguards following judicial findings concerning its conduct in the period preceding the investigation.

Ashurst Perkins Coie updates its UK bribery guide, highlighting corporate exposure for overseas conduct and third-party relationships, including agents, suppliers and joint ventures, alongside risks around hospitality, facilitation payments and self-reporting

September 2, 2026

Ashurst Perkins Coie has published an updated guide to the UK Bribery Act, covering the principal bribery offences, corporate liability and the Act’s extraterritorial reach. The guide examines how the failure-to-prevent offence can create liability for bribery committed by associated persons, including employees, agents, suppliers and joint ventures, and considers practical risk areas such as corporate hospitality, facilitation payments and overseas business arrangements. It also addresses enforcement and self-reporting, noting that companies seeking favourable treatment from the SFO need to demonstrate genuine cooperation and effective anti-bribery procedures.

UK Department for Transport launches a three-year strategy to strengthen the prevention, detection and response to fraud, bribery and corruption across the department

September 1, 2026

The 2026–29 strategy sets out how the Department for Transport intends to strengthen counter-fraud capability and embed fraud, bribery and corruption risk management across its operations. It establishes departmental priorities for prevention, detection and enforcement while aligning its approach with wider government counter-fraud standards.

GRECO’s Evaluation finds UK’s local Govt anti-corruption framework strong, but calls for 6 reforms to tighten sanctions, lobbying and gifts transparency, audit oversight, integrity advice and training

August 20, 2026

GRECO identifies six areas requiring further action: stronger and clearer sanctions for councillor misconduct; making the new local audit office fully operational; improving lobbying transparency; providing confidential integrity advice to employees; strengthening integrity training for councillors; and legally formalising the publication of councillors’ gifts…

CoLP Domestic Corruption Unit makes four further arrests in an investigation into suspected fraud and bribery involving the Police Federation of England and Wales

August 18, 2026

Domestic Corruption Unit officers arrested two men and two women at an address in Leatherhead on 18 August, including two serving police officers. The arrests follow three earlier arrests in March and form part of what the force describes as a significant and complex investigation into allegations of fraud and bribery; no findings of wrongdoing have yet been made…

Spotlight on Corruption Briefing urges the FCDO to use its December 2026 Illicit Finance Summit to drive global action on dirty money, corruption, asset recovery and climate policy

August 18, 2026

The briefing highlights that illicit finance drains resources from developing countries, with an estimated $89 billion leaving Africa through illicit capital flight each year, while more than £100 billion is estimated to be laundered through the UK annually. Dirty money also contributes to environmental crime, with environmental criminals generating up to $281 billion in illicit profits annually…

Spotlight on Corruption warns the UK must turn promises into action as weak enforcement and under-resourced agencies leave its £100B dirty-money threat largely unchecked

August 17, 2026

The organisation argues that the expansion of sanctions powers, new enforcement units and reforms to corporate transparency since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have not been accompanied by sufficient investigative capacity. It highlights resource constraints affecting bodies including the Combatting Kleptocracy Cell and International Corruption Unit and calls for renewed political commitment to enforcement…

NCA intelligence helps Nigerian police arrest six suspected fraudsters accused of impersonating international celebrities to target victims in the UK and overseas

July 16, 2026

The operation concerned an alleged scam centre in Delta State whose members reportedly used digital devices and false celebrity identities to deceive victims around the world. Cooperation between the NCA, the Nigerian Police Force and Meta demonstrates how intelligence sharing with overseas authorities and technology platforms can support the disruption of cross-border online fraud.

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