Compliance lessons from the first FCPA declination of Trump’s second term
The US Department of Justice’s first Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) declination in almost a year marks more than just the resolution of a single bribery investigation. It is the first such case since President Donald Trump, in February 2025, temporarily halted enforcement of the anti-bribery law, later resuming it in a narrower form. This […]
Could a family law case trigger a failure to prevent fraud investigation?
The recent Court of Appeal decision in Helliwell v Entwistle [2025] EWCA Civ 1055/1071 has been watched closely by family lawyers for its implications on prenuptial agreements and financial disclosure. But beyond family law, the case also raises uncomfortable questions for legal professionals about fraud risk, anti-money laundering obligations, and from 1 September 2025, potential […]
The tax time bomb? When failure to prevent tax evasion meets crypto compliance
Since 2017, the UK’s Criminal Finances Act has created strict liability offences for firms that fail to prevent the criminal facilitation of tax evasion. The law has never been tested in court, until now. HMRC has finally brought its first prosecution under this framework. Stockport‑based accountancy firm Bennett Verby is due to face trial at […]
How UK AML is changing in 2025: What it means for compliance
The UK’s anti-money laundering framework is heading for one of its most important updates in years. The publication of the 2025 National Risk Assessment (NRA) and the government’s formal response to the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs) consultation together mark a clear turning point in how AML is regulated and enforced. This is not just […]
Cannabis compliance: navigating risk and opportunity in a high-growth industry
Cannabis is no longer a fringe industry. Yet for financial institutions, investment firms, and professional services providers, engaging with cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) remains a high-risk, legally ambiguous area. The core compliance challenge? Cannabis may be legal locally, but remains a controlled substance federally in the US and other key jurisdictions, triggering anti-money laundering (AML) risks, […]
Over 40% rise in disability discrimination claims going to tribunal
In the last year alone, referrals to Acas for disability discrimination claims have risen by more than 40%. In 2024–25, nearly 12,000 cases were referred following tribunal claims, up from 8,496 the previous year. This dramatic increase now places disability at the centre of employment law disputes, making up 28% of all tribunal referrals, compared […]
The new HR headache: The hidden legal risks of unsupervised staff networks
Can attempts at inclusion actually result in exclusion? Staff networks are often lauded as engines of inclusion. They offer marginalised groups a voice, build community, and help steer organisational culture. But two recent tribunal cases: Wilkins v Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Newman v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, reveal a more complex […]
Solicitor disciplined over Azerbaijani funds: SDT exposes long shadow of AML failures
Since 2017, the OCCRP‑led Azerbaijani Laundromat revelations exposed a €2.9 billion money‑laundering network tied to Azerbaijan’s elite, using shell firms in the UK and Europe to funnel corrupt funds into real estate, bribes, lobbying campaigns and more. VinciWorks previously flagged the scheme’s UK dimension, including how British LLPs were abused as laundromat vehicles and named […]
SOC 2 compliance and AWS: Maintaining security standards while using Amazon Web Services
Whether you’re handling sensitive client data or delivering critical digital services, demonstrating robust security, availability, and privacy practices is essential. For organisations running workloads on Amazon Web Services (AWS), SOC 2 compliance is a key tool in that trust arsenal. SOC 2 in AWS is not a plug-and-play exercise. It’s a tailored, risk-driven approach […]
What compliance leaders can learn from Albemarle’s FCPA case: An interview with Andrew McBride
In this in-depth conversation, Nick Henderson, head of compliance at VinciWorks, speaks with Andrew McBride, founder of Integrity Bridge and former Chief Compliance Officer at Albemarle, about one of the most significant FCPA enforcement actions in recent years. Andrew shares practical insights from inside the investigation, including why Albemarle chose to terminate all third-party agents, […]
