Press Review - Week of 3 April 2026

Press Review – Week of 3 April 2026

This week’s press review covers the adoption by the European Parliament of the European Union’s first anti-corruption directive; the expansion by the French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) of its investigation into the Atos group, now extended to potential acts of misuse of corporate assets and to a separate investigation for the dissemination of misleading information; on the new status of “cooperating offenders” under the French “narcotrafficking” law ; as well as the adoption by the International Chamber of Commerce of a revised version of its Arbitration Rules, which will enter into force on 1 June 2026.

#White collar crime

Parliament gives green light to EU anti-corruption rules

On 26 March 2026 the European Parliament adopted a directive establishing the first European criminal law framework to combat corruption. The text defines several offenses, including corruption, embezzlement, influence peddling, and illicit enrichment. The stated objective is to ensure alignment of legal definitions and uniform levels of penalties. The directive also aims to strengthen cooperation, coordination, and the exchange of information between various national authorities and EU bodies such as the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Europol, Eurojust, and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Member States are also required to adopt national anti-corruption strategies. Following formal adoption by the Council, the directive must be transposed by Member States within 24 months. > Read the article.

Atos: the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office expands its investigations targeting the IT giant

On 23 March 2026, the French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (“PNF”) announced an extension of its investigation into the Atos Group. The investigation opened two years ago for private corruption is now extended to potential cases of misappropriation of corporate assets. At the same time, a new criminal investigation has been launched for the dissemination of misleading information, jointly with the French Financial Markets Authority (“AMF”). This follows additional complaints filed in 2025 by a minority shareholder, the Singaporean fund Alix AM, who notably challenged compensation mechanisms deemed excessive and substantial payments to consulting firms between 2022 and 2024. >Read the article.

#Litigation and International Investigation

The French “narcotrafficking” law: the new status for “cooperating witnesses” comes into force, aiming to protect former criminals who provide information

Decrees related to the status of cooperating witness adopted by the 2025 narcotrafficking law have been published on 31 March 2026. The French narcotraffic law had strengthened this system adopted in 2004 by extending the status to new offenses, including arms trafficking and murder. It also increases potential sentence reductions, which may reach up to two-thirds of the sentence, or even fifteen to twenty years for the most serious crimes. From now on, the granting and withdrawal of this status fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the judiciary, while the National Commission for Protection and Reintegration now has only an advisory role. This status entitles individuals to enhanced protective measures, such as anonymity, a new identity, or relocation. > Read the Article.

#Arbitration and Mediation

ICC Executive Board approves revised Rules of Arbitration

The International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) has adopted a revised version of its Arbitration Rules, which will enter into force on 1 June 2026. These amendments aim to enhance the efficiency, clarity, and accessibility of the Rules, while adapting ICC arbitration to the needs of users worldwide. They build on the previous revision that came into force in January 2021 and reflect the ongoing evolution of arbitral practice. This revision comes at a time of increased activity: in 2025, 881 cases were filed under the Rules, with the total amount in dispute in pending cases estimated at USD 299 billion. > Read the article.