Serious Fraud Office reviews 20 cases after issues with evidence software

The UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is reviewing the integrity of approximately 20 cases after issues were discovered with its document discovery system, Autonomy. The review was prompted by the collapse of a decade-long bribery investigation against former executives of London Mining, where the SFO dropped the prosecution due to problems with the software. The issue involves how digital container files were expanded, potentially causing some evidence to be unavailable for review.

The SFO stated that while no evidence suggests crucial material was missed, they are taking steps to review the affected cases to ensure all relevant and disclosable material was considered. One case has already been resolved without evidence of missed material. The SFO emphasized that this issue does not affect its current e-discovery system.

The defendants in the London Mining case, including former chief executive Graeme Hossie, were acquitted at Southwark Crown Court, with no findings of wrongdoing. Hossie expressed relief at the outcome after a decade-long process and highlighted the significant personal and professional burden it imposed. A solicitor representing Hossie criticized the investigation's cost to the public and the emotional toll on the defendants.

(Source：The Independent)