Deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) scheme to combat white-collar crime

The Australian Government is considering introducing a deferred prosecution agreement scheme. A DPA is a voluntary, negotiated settlement between a prosecutor and a defendant. DPAs are used in the US and UK for serious corporate offences.

In this article, Phillip Hoskin, a Director in our Sydney office, summarises last month's Government Business Roundtable on Anti-Corruption. Law enforcement and business representatives discussed ways to foster cooperation, including proposed DPAs and developing a corporate culture of integrity.

What is a deferred prosecution agreement?

DPAs help law enforcement agencies tackle white-collar crime. Both the US and UK have achieved substantial settlements. DPAs are said to be transforming corporate culture.