Slaughter and May advises Rolls-Royce plc in relation to investigation by the SFO

Slaughter and May, together with Debevoise & Plimpton LLP (“Debevoise”), jointly advised Rolls-Royce plc (“Rolls-Royce”) in relation to the criminal investigations conducted by the Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”) and the US Department of Justice (“DoJ”) into allegations of bribery and corruption. A further investigation was also initiated by the Brazilian Ministerio Publico Federal (“MPF”).

These investigations were resolved by way of Deferred Prosecution Agreements (“DPAs”) with the SFO and the DoJ, and a Leniency Agreement with the MPF, all of which were announced on 17 January 2017. The DPA with the SFO was approved by the Court, in a judgment given by the President of the Queen’s Bench Division, that day.

The Slaughter and May team comprised Richard Swallow (Co-Head of Global Investigations), Jonathan Clark (Partner), Steve Cooke (Senior Partner), Amy Russell (Associate), Jerry Healy (Associate), Michael Thompson (Associate), James Dobias (Associate) and Lavinia de Nazelle (Associate).  The firm instructed David Perry QC, Miranda Hill and Katherine Hardcastle from 6KBW College Hill. Slaughter and May’s team worked with Debevoise jointly advising the company in connection with investigations by the SFO and the DoJ and the global resolution reached with the SFO, the DoJ and the MPF. Brazilian firm FeldensMadruga provided support in relation to discussions with the MPF.