Bold Beginnings at the SFO, New Law Journal
In her recent article for the New Law Journal, London Investigations, Compliance, and Defense Partner Lucy Blake sheds light on significant changes the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is undergoing following Nick Ephgrave's appointment as its new Director
After years of setbacks, Ephgrave's leadership marks a potential shift in the SFO’s direction. Lucy explores various elements in the piece, starting with an examination of past challenges, including systemic issues within the SFO and the collapse of high-profile prosecutions due to disclosure failings, despite successful Deferred Prosecution Agreements with the companies involved.
She then goes on to discuss future solutions and strategies for addressing these challenges. Ephgrave aims to rectify the SFO's disclosure failings through digital improvements and streamlined processes. He plans to prioritise cases with a higher chance of success and leverage new provisions under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to prosecute fraud effectively, introducing new tools including the “failure to prevent” fraud offence for large companies.
In the piece Lucy concludes that, “Whether or not Ephgrave achieves all his goals, one thing seems clear: the next few years won’t be dull.”
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
In her recent article for the New Law Journal, London Investigations, Compliance, and Defense Partner Lucy Blake sheds light on significant changes the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is undergoing following Nick Ephgrave's appointment as its new Director
After years of setbacks, Ephgrave's leadership marks a potential shift in the SFO’s direction. Lucy explores various elements in the piece, starting with an examination of past challenges, including systemic issues within the SFO and the collapse of high-profile prosecutions due to disclosure failings, despite successful Deferred Prosecution Agreements with the companies involved.
She then goes on to discuss future solutions and strategies for addressing these challenges. Ephgrave aims to rectify the SFO's disclosure failings through digital improvements and streamlined processes. He plans to prioritise cases with a higher chance of success and leverage new provisions under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to prosecute fraud effectively, introducing new tools including the “failure to prevent” fraud offence for large companies.
In the piece Lucy concludes that, “Whether or not Ephgrave achieves all his goals, one thing seems clear: the next few years won’t be dull.”
Related Lawyers
Related Capabilities
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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