Rule of Law Programme – Western Balkans

A conference on the recovery of the proceeds of crime was held in Belgrade, sponsored by the UK Government. The conference provided training for senior judges and prosecutors from seven countries in South Eastern Europe with the aim of encouraging international co-operation in recovering assets following every successful prosecution. 

This training provided an overview of the law and practice in international cooperation in asset recovery.  The participants were also provided with an excellent Handbook setting out the available tools, channels for cooperation and best practice.  The Keynote speaker was HH Judge Michael Hopmeier, Southwark Crown Court, London.

The conference was arranged in response to the low level of international cooperation in the field of asset recovery in South Eastern Europe and forms part of a wide programme of capacity building being sponsored by the UK Government in the fight against corruption and organised crime in the region. 

The event attracted over 30 participants including a former judge from the European Court of Human Rights, and judges from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. 

The UK Government is keen to share the UK’s experience of fighting corruption and recovery of the proceeds of crime. One important aim is to speed up the seizure of assets at an early stage. 

Vero Consulting’s skills in this area

Charles Lazarevic represented Vero Consulting at the conference, building on the firm’s forensic accounting investigations work in the region (click here for details).  The firm has used its extensive forensic accounting and language skills to prepare and present expert witness evidence in proceeds of crime trials for the prosecution or defendants on many occasions. 

While most assignments are conducted in English, Vero’s team includes individuals with a working knowledge of German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Romanian, Serbian and Croatian.

To learn more about our expertise click here. If you would like consult us on a without-commitment basis for a business financial review, forensic investigation or expert witness assignment anywhere in the world, please contact us at: enquiries@veroconsulting.expert or click here.

Charles Lazarevic

30 November 2019