08 October 2019 

Serious Fraud Office taking steps to improve case progression

An inspection by Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) has found that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) could improve the processes it has in place to support how it progresses cases. Inspectors note that the SFO is already making some changes, including the development of a new case management system and more effective case management controls, but more could be done.

The inspection examined the arrangements in place to ensure the timely progression of cases.

The inspection found that the SFO has clear and well documented internal casework processes, contained in an operational handbook which sets out what is expected and in some instances mandated. However, there is inconsistency in application, with individual case managers operating in their preferred way and this can impact the effectiveness and efficiency of case progression.

Case progression is helped as senior managers are fully engaged with partners and stakeholders, and there are agreements and protocols in place and an international team in the SFO. These have tangible benefits for mutual assistance and case progression. This was evidenced by a very good example of how this had helped effective case progression in one case in our file examination.

Cases were accepted for investigation in a timely manner, but in some cases delay often occurred due to a backlog of digital material needing to be processed in order to progress investigations. The report also identifies staffing and resourcing issues as the main cause of delay but the report sets out how the SFO has been proactive and made changes to reduce staff shortages by providing training and development opportunities to upskill and multi-skill staff. For example, the SFO has trained more staff to become investigators and accountants – two roles where there were reported shortages.

The SFO has various strands of case oversight. These include case review panels, Heads of Divisions’ meetings with case teams, peer reviews and performance data, but the process could be improved and include more of a focus on assurance of case processes and effective consistency across cases being operated by case managers.

Commenting on the report, HM Chief Inspector Kevin McGinty, said:

“There are undoubtedly ways the SFO can improve but, for the most part, it already has in place the frameworks within which the necessary improvements can be achieved. It would be wrong to read this report negatively and from the view that the SFO is ineffective: it is not. Getting staff to comply with process and be consistent, for line management to be more effective and for there to be better and more effective quality control will go a long way to tackle the recommendations set out in this report.”

 

The full report can be found here Case Progression in the Serious Fraud Office (692 kB)