Findings of SFO e-discovery review
In February the SFO provided an update on the ongoing review of its use of e-discovery software. The SFO currently uses the software OpenText Axcelerate to help it identify evidence and other material that is relevant to its criminal investigations and prosecution.
The review has led the SFO to reexamine its past use of the software Autonomy Introspect because of issues with the construction of search terms, which may have impacted the identification of word variations.
The SFO has a duty to disclose any material that may impact upon the safety of a person's conviction and to undertake enquiries about whether any such material exists. The SFO has confirmed that it has not found any evidence which suggests that disclosable material was not disclosed. It is continuing to examine past cases to ensure that the correct search terms were used and it is prioritising cases where defendants are serving a custodial sentence.
UK, France and Switzerland announce new anti-corruption alliance
In March the SFO, France’s Parquet National Financier (PNF) and the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) affirmed their shared commitment to tackling international bribery and corruption at an event in London. They also announced the formation of a new International Anti-Corruption Prosecutorial taskforce. The Taskforce will deliver:
- A Leaders' Group that will focus on the regular exchange of insight and strategy
- A Working Group that will devise proposals for co-operation on cases
- Increased best practice sharing to make full use of the taskforce's combined expertise
- A strengthened foundation for seizing opportunities for operational collaboration