Serious Fraud Office seeks Counsel Panels
Counsel Panels
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is renewing its counsel panel lists. This is an exciting opportunity for advocates to work on their cases at all levels. The SFO both investigates and prosecutes the most serious cases of economic crime and focuses on top-tier fraud, bribery and corruption.
Cases are interesting, complex and provide advocates with the ability to gain experience on high profile cases, including Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) and international criminal investigations. Advocates will work closely with the SFO’s case teams to advise and represent the SFO in court.
Applications are invited from self-employed and independent solicitor advocates for the QC, A, B and C panel lists for prosecution and proceeds of crime cases. The lists will run from December 2020 to December 2024. All applicants will have to meet the relevant criteria. Applicants are encouraged from diverse backgrounds and for proceeds of crime work, those with a civil or criminal background are encouraged to apply.
Those who have been or are on their lists are invited to re-apply. Treasury Counsel who wish to be on their lists should provide a summary of their expertise but need not complete the application form.
All applicants must have a current Practising Certificate, hold Professional Indemnity Insurance at a minimum of £500,000 and be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Application Process
Advocates will be asked to complete an application form providing evidence-based examples to demonstrate their skills and experience, with some anonymised written work and references to support their application. Transferable skills will be considered. Advocates can apply for either the Prosecution and/or the Proceeds of Crime International Assistance Panels.
Guidance documents, criteria and application forms for all panel lists will be available to download from the SFO website at www.sfo.gov.uk on Friday 31 July 2020.
The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 23:59 on Wednesday 30 September 2020, including references.
Applications must be submitted electronically to [email protected]. Referees can email their references directly to the above email. For any queries please contact [email protected]