Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

ECCTA 2023 failure to prevent fraud: applicability to large organisations, reasonable procedures guidance, and navigating SFO/CPS/COPFS/PPS investigations (UK)

Published on: 21 August 2025

Published by a LexisNexis Corporate Crime expert
Legal News
imgtext
Article summary

The failure to prevent fraud offence

Introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023) as part of wider efforts to combat financial crime, the failure to prevent fraud offence takes effect on 1 September 2025 and is intended to drive a meaningful, positive shift in corporate culture. This is the latest in the suite of corporate “failure to prevent” offences, following the failure to prevent bribery under the Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010) and the failure to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion in the Criminal Finances Act 2017. The offence is contained in ECCTA 2023, ss 199–206.

Its purpose is to ensure large organisations are accountable for fraud carried out by employees, agents, subsidiaries, or others who provide services for or on behalf of the organisation, where the conduct was intended to benefit the organisation or its clients. The regime will apply to any organisation that satisfies at least two of the following three thresholds:

  • Employs more than 250 people
  • Has a turnover above £36m
  • Holds more than £18m in total assets

It covers a...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Popular documents

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Read More Right Arrow

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Read More Right Arrow

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Read More Right Arrow

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...

Read More Right Arrow