Bribery Conviction of Ex-Unaoil Executive Quashed by Paul Hastings Team

London – Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, successfully represented Ziad Akle, who was acquitted of the charges brought against him by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) last year. Ziad Akle, a former executive at Unaoil, was the lead defendant in a trial against the company for bribery and corruption, and had been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for allegedly paying bribes to secure a contract to supply offshore mooring buoys in Iraq.

Judges from London’s Court of Appeal ruled that the SFO had denied Mr Akle the right to a fair trial, including withholding potentially embarrassing evidence.

“This case became about the conduct of the SFO. By acting in the way it did it undermined the whole justice system,” said Joanna Dimmock, partner, Paul Hastings LLP. “This judgment sends a clear message – the SFO can no longer engage in backroom deals. There is no room in this jurisdiction for justice by fixer.”

The case was led by London partner Joanna Dimmock, and included partner Jonathan Pickworth and associates Fred Kelly and Tom Hickey.

At Paul Hastings, our purpose is clear — to help our clients and people navigate new paths to growth. With a strong presence throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the U.S., Paul Hastings is recognized as one of the world’s most innovative global law firms.