The average (mean) age of an open Enforcement operation at the end of each financial year is set out below. These figures include all open operations, irrespective of whether they are in the investigation stage or have moved beyond the investigation and are in litigation or post-litigation stage. Therefore, the figures quoted will - for some operations - include time spent in litigation before the Tribunal or criminal courts and a case remains open on our case management system pending appeals, the recovery of assets or where a subject has absconded.
Typically, operations which result in litigation take longer than those which result in settlement or are closed without further action during the investigation stage. Many of our operations in the litigation or post-litigation stage have been open for longer than 60 months. The figures also exclude closed operations. As a result, the figures provided below only provide a partial picture.
2020/21 – 32.4 months
2021/22 – 36.3 months
2022/23 – 40.9 months
2023/24 - 49.2 months
Every enforcement case is different, and so the length of time it takes to investigate differs. It is important that we always undertake a thorough investigation to ensure fair outcomes. In February, we announced changes to the way we carry out enforcement cases, with a commitment to carry out cases more quickly. We will focus on a streamlined portfolio of cases, aligned to our strategic priorities where enforcement can deliver the greatest impact. We will also close those cases where no outcome is achievable, more quickly.
