Commentary on Sections Part 4: Miscellaneous Section 80: Disclosure of information by SFO
144.This section amends section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 (which established the Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”)).
145.It extends the circumstances in which the SFO can disclose information. Currently, the SFO is permitted to disclose information, in particular circumstances, for the purposes of any prosecution: the amendment will enable that disclosure also to take place for the purposes of any criminal investigation, whether in the UK or elsewhere.
146.This section also extends the categories of persons or bodies to which information may be disclosed. At present, disclosure of information by the SFO is limited to bodies with functions equating to those of the SFO. The amendment will improve international co-operation in respect of crime, and extends to bodies established under the Treaty on European Union (designed, in particular, to facilitate exchanges of information with Eurojust) or any other treaty to which the UK is a party.