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Home > About the GLS > GLS Departments > Serious Fraud Office Serious Fraud Office The Serious Fraud Office was established in 1988, by the Criminal Justice Act 1987, as an independent Government Department headed by a Director who exercises powers under the superintendence of the Attorney General. It is an integral part of the criminal justice system. The SFO aims to contribute to reducing fraud and its cost to society, to delivering justice and to maintaining confidence in the UK's business and financial institutions. The Department conducts both the investigation and the prosecution of cases involving serious or complex fraud and is dedicated to working effectively and efficiently, in co-operation with Police forces and other agencies here and abroad. The SFO deals with approximately 80 cases at a time. These may involve investment, banking or corporate frauds, frauds on Government or EU bodies and those involving manipulation or financial markets. Most cases have an international dimension and many involve close working with other agencies such as the Police, CPS, DTI, HM Customs and Excise and the Financial Services Authority, or their overseas equivalents. Work of the Legal Team The distinctive feature of the SFO's approach to investigation is its use of multidisciplinary teams. Each case is allocated to a team of lawyers, financial investigators, police officers, IT and other support staff. Each team is led by a Case Controller - a Grade 5 or 6 Lawyer - who is responsible for all aspects of the investigation and any ensuing prosecution. Counsel and other experts may be instructed at an early stage and work closely with the team throughout. SFO work is difficult and challenging - it attracts considerable press and public interest - but the staff are highly motivated and drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds. Apart from Case Controllers, Grade 7 lawyers in the SFO also work as investigators, interviewing witnesses and suspects (often under the SFO's statutory powers), taking statements and analysing evidence. They may need to liaise with other agencies, advise on difficult legal or practical issues, or obtain foreign or expert evidence. A few Grade 6 lawyers also work in the Policy Division, providing guidance on new legislation and SFO procedure and advising the SFO's Mutual Legal Assistance Unit, which obtains evidence to assist overseas courts, and prosecuting authorities. There is also an Asset Recovery headed by a Grade 6 Lawyer with two or three Grade 7s and some financial investigators. Benefits & Rewards The SFO offers a generous annual leave allowance, increasing to 31 days. We encourage learning and development and offer all employees a £100 Learning Voucher. We also provide legal training, e.g. Restraint Confiscation and Money Laundering, RIPA 2000 relating to informants and surveillance, and searches. Legal Trainee & Pupillage Opportunities Due to the small size of the Department, we do not offer Legal Trainee or pupillage opportunities other than to current employees. Qualified Lawyer Vacancies We do not use the GLS' central arrangements to recruit qualified lawyers. Details of all vacancies are advertised on the SFO website. Location Two small friendly, modern office blocks in central London, near Gray's Inn. Cases arise all over England, Wales and Northern Ireland and lawyers spend long periods working or attending court outside London. Further Information Please visit the SFO website www.sfo.gov.uk. If you would like to know more about the work of a lawyer in the Serious Fraud Office, please contact: Emma Lindsay If you wish to talk regarding Vacation Placements within SFO, please contact: The Resourcing Team on 0207 239 7457 or email recruitment@sfo.gsi.gov.uk. |
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