Bennett Verby is the first prosecution for failure to prevent tax evasion, but won’t be the last
Eight years after the Criminal Finances Act 2017 created new strict liability corporate offences for the failure to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion, HMRC has finally brought its first prosecution. The case, announced on 14 August 2025, centres on Bennett Verby Ltd, a Stockport accountancy firm, accused of enabling fraudulent claims worth more than […]
What’s New in Astute LXP – August 2025 Update (v3.4.2)
We’re excited to roll out Astute LXP v3.4.2 on August 14, 2025. This month’s release brings a fresh wave of usability improvements, template refinements, and behind-the-scenes optimisations to help you manage learners and compliance more efficiently than ever. Key Enhancements New Pending Enrolments ReportEasily track learners who are queued for enrolment with a dedicated “Pending […]
When regulators come for the compliance officer: CCO survival guide
For many chief compliance officers (CCOs), the greatest fear isn’t just a regulatory fine against their firm, it’s finding themselves in the regulator’s crosshairs. In recent years, the SEC has shown a willingness to pursue CCOs personally, holding them accountable not only for their own misconduct but for the firm’s operational failures, ignored warning signs, […]
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 […]