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Home > About the GLS > GLS Departments > Serious Fraud Office

Serious Fraud Office

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigates and prosecutes serious or complex fraud and corruption. The department is headed by a Director who exercises powers under the superintendence of the Attorney General and is an integral part of the criminal justice system. The SFO aims to contribute to reducing economic crime 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 corruption and is dedicated to working effectively and efficiently, in co-operation with other law enforcement agencies both in the UK and abroad. The SFO deals with around 80 cases at any given time. These may involve bribery and corruption or fraud ranging from investment, banking or corporate frauds, frauds on Government or EU bodies and those involving the manipulation of financial markets. Most cases have an international dimension and many involve close working with other agencies such as the police, CPS, BIS, HM Revenue & Customs, the Financial Services Authority and the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

Work of the Legal Team

The distinctive feature of the SFO's approach to investigation is its multidisciplinary teams. Each case is allocated to a team of lawyers, financial investigators, IT and other support staff. Each team is led by a case manager (many of whom are Grade 6 or 7 lawyers) who is responsible for all aspects of the investigation and any ensuing prosecution. Counsel and other experts may be instructed 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 are drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds.

As well as roles as case managers, 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. Some lawyers also work in Policy, providing guidance on new legislation and SFO procedure and advising the SFO's International Team which deals with mutual legal assistance matters.

Vacancies

Qualified lawyer vacancies for posts in this department are advertised through the central GLS scheme. All vacancies are posted on the Civil Service Recruitment Gateway (this link will open in a new window).

Trainee Solicitors and Pupil Barristers are recruited through the GLS Legal Trainee Scheme.

Further Information

Please visit the SFO website www.sfo.gov.uk.