Michael Potts

This Practice Note sets out what HM Revenue & Customs is, the main reasons it may carry out a raid, it’s powers, and the consequences of failing to co-operate with one.

This Practice Note sets out what the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is, the main reasons it may carry out a raid, its powers, and the consequences of failing to co-operate with one. It also provides some practical tips on dealing with the CMA.

This Practice Note sets out what the Financial Conduct Authority is, the main reasons it may carry out a raid, its powers, and the consequences of failing to co-operate with a raid.

This Practice Note sets out what the Health and Safety Executive is, the main reasons it may carry out a raid, its powers, and the consequences of failing to co-operate with one.

This Practice Note provides practical tips on dealing with a dawn raid by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). It sets out what the ICO is, the main reasons for an ICO raid, its powers, and the consequences of failing to co-operate with a raid by the ICO.

This Practice Note sets out who/what the police authority is, the main reasons for a police raid, police powers and the consequences of failing to co-operate.

This Practice Note sets out what the Serious Fraud Office is, the main reasons it may carry out a raid, its powers, and the consequences of failing to cooperate with one.

This Practice Note sets out how to create and implement an action plan for dealing with a dawn raid. It covers assembling a Dawn Raid Response Team and the steps you should take immediately on a raid commencing, and during and at the end of a raid.

This Practice Note explains the offence of causing a financial institution to fail under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR) created by the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (FS(BR)A 2013). It covers the elements of the offence under section 36 of FS(BR)A 2013, key definitions and the investigation and prosecution of this offence. The Practice Note also explains the investigatory regime created by the act and offences of falsifying, concealing or destroying evidence under section 90 of FS(BR)A 2013 and disclosing confidential information under section 93 of FS(BR)A 2013.

The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (Money Laundering Regulations 2017 or MLR 2017), SI 2017/692 came into force on 26 June 2017. The MLR 2017 replace the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, SI 2007/2157, and give effect to Directive (EU) 2015/849 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing (sometimes known as the Fourth Money Laundering Directive or MLD4) which took effect from 26 June 2017. This Practice Note considers the key provisions of MLR 2017 in so far as the regulations give rise to potential criminal liability. It sets out the offences under the MLR 2017 and sentences which can be imposed on conviction. It also summarises key regulator guidance on the MLR 2017 and introduces the oversight of non-statutory, professional body money laundering supervisors by the Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision (OPBAS). The Practice Note incorporates amendments by various SIs including the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, SI 2018/1337 and the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019, SI 2019/1511, as well as the Money Laundering and Transfer of Funds (Information) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, SI 2019/253 and the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/991.

This Practice Note provides guidance on section 11 of the Criminal Finance Act 2017 (CFA 2017), which amends the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA 2002) to make provision for voluntary information sharing within the regulated sector, and between those bodies and the National Crime Agency (NCA), in connection with suspicions of money laundering. It explains voluntary disclosures, required notifications and disclosure requests and who they apply to. It also considers joint disclosure reports, or superSARs, as well as considerations of confidentiality, good faith and what the effect of the new provisions for required disclosure is on existing failure to disclose offences. Finally, it sets out some practical guidance on what to do on receipt of a voluntary disclosure request or a request from an NCA officer.

This Precedent Dawn raid action plan sets out the steps you can take in the event of a dawn raid, and the key individuals and teams with specific responsibilities for overseeing or carrying out those steps—the Dawn Raid Response Team. Investigators typically arrive unannounced first thing in the morning, often taking an aggressive approach which calls for the organisation to respond quickly and effectively to ensure compliance with its obligations and to prevent disruption to the day-to-day running of the business. It is essential that you plan for a possible dawn raid to ensure staff are briefed and ready to respond efficiently and properly in what may be a chaotic and stressful situation.