Goldshield Group successfully defends against prosecution by the Serious Fraud Office

Client(s) Goldshield Group Plc

Jones Day successfully defended Goldshield Group Plc against prosecution by the Serious Fraud Office for conspiracy to defraud the NHS by alleged participation in a pharmaceutical price-fixing/market sharing cartel during the late 1990s. Goldshield argued from the outset that the facts alleged by the SFO, even if proven, did not constitute criminal conduct and that the prosecution was based upon an error of law. The point was hotly contested and the case was ultimately resolved in Goldshield's favour by the House of Lords (R v GG Plc and Others [2008] UKHL 17), which overturned the decisions of all lower courts. The Jones Day team's achievement in this case was recognized at the Legal Business Awards 2009, at which they were named "Dispute Resolution Team of the Year." Jones Day also defended Goldshield in the parallel litigation brought in the High Court by the English, Scottish, and Northern Irish governments in relation to the same allegations.

The Queen v. Denis William O'Neill, et al., CA Ref 20083978B5, Indictment No. T00067302, In The Supreme Court of Judicature, In the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)