The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has published new guidance on corporate co-operation, which is intended to encourage corporates to self-report potential criminal misconduct to the SFO.
The guidance provides that, if a corporate entity self-reports suspected wrongdoing and cooperates fully with an SFO investigation, it can expect to be invited to negotiate a Deferred Prosecution Agreement rather than face prosecution, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

On 10 December 2024, the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) received royal assent. This legislation makes material amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) and brings about significant reform to Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regime.
These amendments have sought to close key legislative gaps and better align Australia’s AML/CTF regime with the international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force.

The recent judgment of the Hong Kong Court of Appeal offers greater protection to legal communications and documents created between clients and their lawyers from disclosure in Hong Kong. Such protection arises in situations where a client may be required to produce documents, including regulatory investigations. Recent developments On 29…