Corruption & bribery

Corker Binning is a law firm specialising in fraud, regulatory litigation and general criminal work of all types. It has substantial experience in representing individuals of interest to UK and foreign agencies investigating alleged corruption and bribery.

UK investigations are usually undertaken by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). We have acted in many of these investigations either for witnesses compelled to assist the SFO or for suspects who are the targets of its attention. These investigations include Balfour Beatty, PWS, MW Kellogg, Mabey & Johnson and British Aerospace.

In representing those regarded as suspects by the SFO, we have where appropriate negotiated outcomes on their behalf without involving a prosecution. We have built up substantial experience in reaching immunity or plea agreements under UK law. See our article published in the Criminal Law Review in 2009, New power to grant immunities, April 2009. Working with a corporate also under investigation, we have sought resolutions for our clients via a civil law remedy; in the Balfour Beatty case we suggested the use of civil recovery powers which the SFO eventually exercised.

Internationally, we have acted for various clients who are the target of Oil-For-Food related investigations. We have also represented clients in OLAF and World Bank investigations, most recently involving Lesotho.

With the advent of the Bribery Bill and the SFO’s new policy on corporate leniency, UK law and practice in this area is likely to be transformed. See our article about the SFO’s initiative published in the New Law Journal in 2009, SFO's new prosecution policy, October 2009 and the article published in the New Law Journal in June 2010.