SFO struggles to process evidence during pandemic - Louise Hodges quoted in the Financial Times

There  are rumours that the SFO is struggling to process new evidence and there is clearly disruption in interviews taking place, however working from home should not prevent the SFO from analysing the data they already hold and taking decisions on some of their more mature investigations.

The Covid-related performance of the SFO stands in sharp contrast to the FCA which, after a few technical hitches, seems to be up and running full steam with everyone working "as normal" remotely in our experience. They are being proactive on existing cases and we have seen a steady flow of new enquiries given the likelihood of misconduct and enforcement cases arising out of current tumultuous market conditions.

Louise Hodges, Head of our Criminal Litigation team has been quoted in the Financial Times on the processing of electronic evidence at this time of remote working.

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SFO struggles to process evidence during pandemic

About the Author

Louise Hodges leads Kingsley Napley’s cross practice financial services team and internal investigations team. She is particularly well known for representing individuals subject to financial regulatory and/or criminal investigations for market abuse or market misconduct including insider dealing and misleading the market, mainly dealt with by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or the SFO.

Further information

For further information on the issues raised in this new post, please contact Louise or  a member of our criminal litigation team in confidence.