Changing  the  Relationship  Between  Businesses  and  the  SFO  By  Christopher  Wakem,  Financial  Law  Consultant,  Lightbringer  Solutions  30  January,  2014    How  can  companies  and  governments  work  together  to  fight  corruption?  In  the  UK,  a  logical  answer  may  be  to  facilitate  clearer  lines  of  communication  between  the  Serious  Fraud  Office  and  companies.    The  SFO  has  taken  on  more  cases  to  protect  against  international  corruption  since  the  institution  of  UK  Bribery  Act  in  2011.  This  legislation  allows  for  prosecution  of  a  company  with  varying  degrees  of  links  to  the  UK,  regardless  of  where  the  crime  occurred.  The  weight  of  dealing  with  these  increased  corporate  prosecutions  prompted  the  SFO  to  request  more  money  for  the  Treasury  to  keep  up  with  demand.  The  Treasury  has  obliged  in  some  cases;  for  example,  more  funds  were  allocated  towards  the  SFO’s  investigation  into  allegations  of  bribery  against  Rolls-­‐Royce.  Investigations  on  this  scale  take  time  and  a  final  verdict  on  Rolls-­‐Royce  could  be  years  away.    Because  of  the  international  scale  of  these  investigations  and  the  time  they  take,  more  funding  will  certainly  help  the  SFO  on  its  crusade.  However,  there  are  other  cards  at  play.  To  effectively  identify  possible  instances  of  corruption  and  fraud,  the  SFO  needs  to  make  friends  with  the  companies  where  such  activities  may  occur.  It  would  be  wise  for  the  SFO  to  encourage  companies  to  self-­‐report  when  fraud  is  evident.  By  offering  incentives  (ex.  reduced  penalties)  for  whistle  blowers,  the  SFO  may  get  a  leg  up  on  some  of  these  lengthy  investigations.  This  will  effectively  change  the  culture  and  the  relationship  between  the  SFO  and  international  companies.  More  money  from  the  Treasury  is  always  helpful,  but  a  tip  can  go  a  long  way.      Christopher  Wakem  is  a  London-­‐based  legal  consultant/contractor  who  has  worked  in  the  independent  bar,  private  practice,  and  in-­‐house  sectors.  He  has  obtained  law  degrees  from  the  University  of  Sheffield  and  University  College.  Mr.  Wakem  has  provide  advice  in  a  wide  array  of  matters,  both  contentious  and  non-­‐contentious,  through  his  company  Lightbringer  Solutions  Ltd.  Chris  has  helped  companies  large  and  small  establish  risk  management  policies,  develop  start-­‐up  procedures,  negotiate  framework  agreements,  secure  insurance  coverage,  and  deal  with  Anti-­‐Money-­‐Laundering  and  Anti-­‐Bribery  and  corruption  matters.