UK to Introduce Deferred Prosecution Agreements

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Justice is planning to introduce deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) as a new tool for enforcing economic crime laws in England and Wales. From Gary DiBianco and Matthew Cowie (Skadden Arps):

“DPAs are viewed by the government as a necessary new tool for prosecutors such as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the courts to bring serious and complex economic cases quickly, cost effectively and fairly to a conclusion. The government envisages that DPAs will be used primarily for corporations that cooperate with government investigations, and the government intends that DPAs will be made available for corporations in overseas corruption cases as well as other economic crimes.

The government’s response to the public consultation sets forth a model for DPAs that has some similarities to U.S. law and practice but involves earlier and greater judicial oversight than U.S. DPAs.”

Read the update, UK Government Set to Introduce Deferred Prosecution Agreements for Economic Crimes - Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP»