What are the highest and lowest risk countries in the Middle East and North Africa for money laundering?
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces a wide range of AML risks due to a combination of geopolitical instability, corruption, and vulnerabilities in financial systems. Many countries in the region serve as hubs for trade, banking, and finance, which can be exploited for illicit financial flows, including terrorist financing, trade-based money laundering, […]
What are the key sustainability compliance dates in 2025 and beyond? Deadlines for CSDDD, EUGBR, SFDR, EU Taxonomy and CSRD
The global regulatory landscape for sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting is set to evolve significantly in 2025 and beyond. With a wave of critical deadlines approaching, organisations must prepare to meet stringent new requirements that aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and sustainability practices. From the European Union’s expanded Taxonomy and the Sustainable […]
What are the highest and lowest risk countries in Europe for money laundering?
Europe is one of the safest regions in the world for money laundering. Most countries in Europe score consistently higher than the global average and other countries in the world. However Europe is not immune to money laundering risks. Despite robust frameworks, financial centres like Switzerland and the UK are increasingly targeted for fraud and […]
Donald Trump’s return and crypto’s rebirth: 2025’s unexpected compliance headache
Remember back to January 2021? One bitcoin was worth around $7,000 and a twice-impeached Donald Trump left office in a huff. Who would have predicted four years later, both would come roaring back. Perhaps more surprising than Donald Trump’s landslide election victory against Kamala Harris (who’d have thought?) is that bitcoin has soared to even […]
Will 2025 be the year your law firm will get audited? How to prepare for the inevitable
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) recent activities signal a heightened focus on anti-money laundering (AML) compliance. With increased inspections, desk-based reviews, and significant fines levied against non-compliant firms, 2025 could well be the year your law firm faces an audit. Preparing for this possibility isn’t just prudent; it’s essential. Here’s what you need to know. […]
US court strikes down corporate board diversity rules
Diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) in business is in for a rough ride over the next few years as the second Trump Administration rages against DEI programmes and companies around the world—from Nissan to Walmart—downsize their initiatives in the face of political blowback. Now, the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals based in New Orleans […]
Did the UK Government greenlight bribery? Landmark ruling will shed light on one of Britain’s biggest corruption scandals
In a landmark decision in December 2024, Southwark Crown Court delivered its judgment that court transcripts relating to the high-profile corruption trial of Jeffrey Cook and John Mason can be published. VinciWorks has previously reported on this case, involving allegations of bribery linked to UK Government defence contracts in Saudi Arabia. However, much of the […]
The ten largest health and safety violations and fines of 2024
2024 was sadly a year in which too many workers lost their lives or were seriously injured as a result of workplace health and safety breaches. Companies were fined substantial amounts into the millions of pounds for failing to uphold basic safety standards, resulting in life-altering injuries and fatalities. These incidents highlight the critical importance […]
The biggest data protection, GDPR and AI stories of 2024
Over the last year, regulatory bodies across the globe have continued to intensify scrutiny over AI technologies and data privacy. Italy’s Garante has once again imposed a significant €15 million fine on OpenAI, citing issues with ChatGPT’s data collection practices. This fine is part of an ongoing wave of regulatory actions, including the European Data […]
The biggest bribery and corruption of public officials stories of 2024
The last year has been a bumper one for the fight against government bribery, from landmark legal victories to policy breakthroughs. Complex bribery schemes were uncovered and important officials prosecuted for their role in corruption. Gifts to officials and political corruption remains a rampant feature of bribery cases, with a significant risk for any business […]
