Inspectors say SFO improved disclosure but legally privileged material remains key risk
HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate said the Serious Fraud Office has made 'credible progress' on disclosure since its 2024 inspection, but that 'the most significant residual risk concerns the management of legally privileged material.' The Oct. 8 follow-up report found no automatic LPP status reporting for case teams and less well-defined ownership of the LPP model, and recommended monthly LPP status updates by October 2027.
Text (HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate) → · Law Gazette
Key points
- The follow-up assessed three of six 2024 recommendations: one achieved, one not achieved, one achieved only on strict interpretation.HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
- Inspectors found no automatic LPP or quarantined-material status report available to case teams.HM Crown Prosecution Service InspectorateLaw Gazette
- Case teams often rely on specialists or external counsel for the status of quarantined privileged material.HM Crown Prosecution Service InspectorateLaw Gazette
- Two LPP projects using specialist counsel, including a TAR pilot, were promising but not yet a complete assurance model.HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
- By October 2027 the SFO should track LPP review status through each case with monthly updates.HM Crown Prosecution Service InspectorateLaw Gazette
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HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
Law Gazette