Mountford Chambers have a team of barristers with extensive experience of advising both corporates and individuals in respect of allegations of corruption. Our barristers advise on investigations conducted by the Serious Fraud Office, the National Crime Agency, and the police.

Most cases we advise on involve cross-jurisdictional issues and agencies including the United States Department of Justice. Recent cases we have worked on include investigations where the SFO have co-operated with authorities in the US, France, Monaco and Holland. Members of Chambers have also defended in trials outside the UK.

Our corporate experience includes advising on anti-bribery procedures and governance, large scale internal company corruption investigations and the requirement to “self-report” where accusations of bribery have been made against employees or agents. We also advise in negotiations on non-prosecution outcomes for companies.

Members of Chambers have acted for individuals investigated for allegations of corruption in many of the most recent high-profile bribery and corruption cases. We are frequently instructed at an early stage to advise on interview strategy including internal company interviews and SFO section 2 notices requiring attendance at an interview and/or the production of documents. We also advise clients in pre-charge negotiations with investigating agencies. In the event of an individual being charged members of chambers have unrivalled experience in defending corruption cases at trial.

Members of Chambers have advised recently on the following matters:

Acted for board level directors in the SFO’s investigations into alleged bribery at several international petrochemical companies.
Acted for the MD of an international oil engineering company investigated by the SFO for facilitating the payment of bribes in return for the award of multi-million dollar contracts.
Acted for individuals charged with corruption offences in the Caribbean.
Advised corporates on the conduct of internal investigations both generally and in detail.
Advised and acted in civil proceedings relating to the alleged proceeds of corrupt relationships.