RLC Blog: Business Crime ‘Win-win’: The first CPS DPA is approved

January 4, 2024

“No doubt the government will increasingly look to deploy cost-effective mechanisms, such as DPA’s, to combat the blight of top-end corporate economic crime. Unquestionably, such agreements obviate the need for long and costly prosecutions. Arguably, they also foster a culture of greater corporate compliance, self-reporting and co-operation. Win-win.”

In the second of our RLC Blog series, Jack Talbot examines the CPS entering into its first ever DPA with Entain plc, a global online sports betting and gaming business (owner of Ladbrokes and Coral bookmakers). DPAs can be reached between defendants and prosecutors and may allow a prosecution to be suspended for a defined period provided the organisation meets certain specified conditions. Jack reports that “not only does it demonstrate a willingness by the CPS to get involved in DPA’s but also to use them innovatively” with Entain agreeing to donate £20 million to charity alongside a significant corporate criminal settlement.

Read full blog here: [‘Win-Win’ – The First CPS DPA is approved]
Read RLC Fraud newsletter looking at Dec 2023 cases here: [Fraud Newsletter No.86]

Jack Talbot is regularly instructed in business crime and fraud cases involving corporate defendants and companies and has provided expert advice concerning bribery and corruption charges in the public sector. Read more: [Jack Talbot Profile ]