The SFO today published its plan for the year ahead focusing on
using new tools, enhancing its intelligence capacity and working
‘more vigorously' with domestic and international
partners.
The Business Plan 2025-26 is the next step in the SFO's ambition
to be bolder and more pragmatic as an organisation.
This approach has already delivered faster progression of cases
with stricter case discipline creating capacity to open eight new
investigations and charge a case within 15 months of
opening.
This year, the SFO aims to use the new “failure to prevent fraud”
offence, part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency
Act, which comes into force in September. The plan also includes
delivery of refreshed corporate guidance for engaging with the
SFO and advancing plans for a whistleblower incentivisation
scheme.
Operational divisions will also begin rolling out Technology
Assisted Review (TAR), which has been found during a pilot to
review documents for disclosure up to 40 per cent faster than our
standard method.
The SFO will continue to invest in its covert operational
capacity and work more closely with key law enforcement and
regulatory partners. The SFO recently created a new taskforce to
tackle international bribery and corruption, with key partners
Switzerland and France
Read the full SFO 2025-26 Business
Plan (PDF, 2.8
MB, 9 pages), including a message from Nick Ephgrave QPM,
Director of the Serious Fraud Office.
