Rahman Ravelli Holds its Inaugural Corporate Crime Conference

Rahman Ravelli held its “Corporate Crime: Detection & Reaction’’ conference at Hallam Conference Centre in London.

The event featured expert speakers from around the world assessing challenges in corporate crime and what may happen now the UK has passed the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (the Act). It was arranged in conjunction with ThoughtLeaders4 Disputes.

Rahman Ravelli's Syed Rahman and barrister and former HM Solicitor General, Lord Garnier KC, chaired the conference.

It began with a speech from Lord Garnier and a fireside chat with the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) general counsel, Sara Lawson.

She talked of how the Act’s reform of corporate criminal liability was like a “Christmas present" for the SFO and will have a huge effect on its work, even though the agency’s application of the new standard may face challenges in the courts. She also said it was unclear when the Home Office will issue guidance on the new failure to prevent fraud offence, which is also contained in the Act.

The day’s first conference panel assessed what the future holds for deferred prosecution agreements. It was followed by one that discussed the merits of the new Act and how companies can avoid facing a failure to prevent charge.

A panel that analysed the protection offered to whistleblowers included discussion of SFO Director Nick Ephgrave’s recent comments about wanting to pay whistleblowers. Panellist Mary Inman of US-based Constantine Cannon said that this had worked well in the United States.

The panel on what to expect regarding sanctions in 2024 saw Syed Rahman outlining the challenges posed by the speed at which sanctions rules have been brought in. The day’s final panel detailed what corporates need to do when faced with a cyber-attack.

Syed Rahman said: “The conference was a huge success and that is due largely to all the speakers who gave their time to come and share their expertise with us.

“So I would like to give a huge thanks to them, to the many who attended and to our co-organisers, ThoughtLeaders4 Disputes.’’

Featured at: ThoughtLeaders4