• Taskforce hosted at Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) launches report calling on firms to “apply ethical decision-making framework going beyond rule-based behaviour”
• Stewarts endorses Taskforce recommendations as part of responsible business intake principles

On 2 April 2025, Stewarts hosts the launch event for the report of the Taskforce setting out recommendations and a framework for England and Wales-based law firms to reduce the risk of facilitating kleptocracy, state capture and grand corruption. Stewarts endorses the IBE Taskforce on Business Ethics and the Legal Profession’s framework, solidifying the firm’s commitment to ethical client onboarding.

The Taskforce’s report, published on 2 April, follows an 18-month review of client and matter acceptance procedures across UK law firms. It suggests that as solicitors onboard new clients, their decisions define not only their reputation, but also impact on public trust in the whole legal sector. To ensure that professional ethics are at the centre of their decision-making when considering which clients to represent, the Taskforce have published a six-step framework for business acceptance by solicitor’s firms. The Taskforce maintain that adoption of this framework and their recommendations will reduce safe havens for the proceeds of grand corruption and enhance the international reputation of the City of London.

Global geopolitical events, like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as events in the UK, like the Post Office Horizon scandal, have shone a light on whether and how law firms consider ethical or other ESG issues that could conflict with the public interest.

In its preparations for the framework, the Taskforce identified Stewarts as having already adopted a progressive attitude to identifying and reviewing high risk matters and clients via the firm’s Risk and Funding Committee. Building on the report’s recommendations, Stewarts will uphold the concepts of the Taskforce recommendations as part of the firm’s business acceptance principles and processes.

Julian Chamberlayne, Risk and Funding Partner at Stewarts, comments:

“For several years we have been working to enhance the principles on which we base our business acceptance decisions, beyond the minimum regulatory criteria. Responsible business practice is at the core of Stewarts’ strategy and vision and today we are proud to be first adopters of the Taskforce’s recommendations.

We urge other law firms to similarly endorse the principles outlined by the Taskforce, to reduce the risk of facilitating kleptocracy, state capture and grand corruption.”

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