Event speakers and program agenda topics are subject to change
8:30 – 9:00 Registration & Check-In
9:00 – 9:30 Welcome, Introductions & Framing
9:30 – 10:15 ECCTA: “Failure to Prevent Fraud” and Corporate Liability
With the new corporate offence now in force, large organisations face strict liability for fraud committed by employees, subsidiaries, or agents. This session examines the scope of the law, what “reasonable procedures” look like in practice, and how firms can mitigate both criminal and reputational risk.
Speakers: Alan WARD (Stephenson Harwood); Justin McClelland (Stephenson Harwood)
10:15 – 11:00 The Coming Storm in Sanctions Compliance
Hear our experts as they discuss the latest news and trends that impact your sanctions compliance team. Learn how AI is helping manipulate documents to appear legit, the impact of data management and sharing, and of course, how the Trump Administration policies are impacting your work.
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee & Networking Break
11:30 – 12:15 Beyond the License: Demystifying Import & Export Control Risk
“General Merchandise,” EAR99 and GP10 goods might seem low-risk, but gaps in customer due diligence and documentation can carry hefty penalties. This session will map out end-to-end controls—starting with onboarding questions and ending with license-trigger checks—to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
12:15 – 13:00 Tracking Shadows: The Rise of the Dark Fleet
The “dark fleet” has become a catch-all for maritime sanctions evasion—but what does it really look like in practice? This panel explores AIS manipulation, deceptive shipping practices, and how banks and trade professionals are expected to identify risk signals on the water. We'll also touch on tools, thresholds, and the challenge of verifying shipping data before it sails out of view.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:00 Deals Gone Dark: FinCrime and Sanctions Disputes
This session unpacks recent court decisions at the intersection of sanctions, fraud, and independent undertakings. We’ll explore key lessons from cases with a focus on how courts are handling compliance defenses, fraud allegations, and the independence principle. A must-attend for legal and risk professionals navigating today's litigation landscape in trade finance. Coverage includes:
- DMF v. DMG [Singapore] (charterparty arrangement with email evidence showing terms that mentions on B/Ls of Iran are to be omitted and mentions of Iranian ports should instead reflect other Middle East port(s))
- Russian Aircraft Lessor Policy Claims [2025] EWHC 1430 (Comm) [England] (can lenders who lost aircraft stuck in Russia USD billions through their war risk insurance coverage from major insurers?)
- BCP v. CAO (Singapore Court dismisses Issuer’s appeal Beneficiary’s letter of indemnity was false and fraudulently made)
- White Rock Insurance (SAC), Ltd. v. China Construction Bank Corp. (forged LCs totaling nearly USD 2 Billion)
- Others including Kuvera, IPP, Winson Oil and more.
Moderator: Lorna STRONG (LSE)
Speakers: Neil CHANTRY (Consultant); Geoff WYNNE (Sullivan & Worcester)
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee & Networking Break
15:30 – 16:15 Know Your Deal: Compliance-Centered Trade Structuring in MENA
In complex trade finance deals across North Africa, compliance starts long before disbursement. This panel explores how ATF Finance and partners approach customer due diligence, sanctions screening, and deal structuring for syndicated loans and SBLCs. From regional risk factors to multi-party coordination, we’ll unpack what it takes to get these high-stakes transactions over the line—safely.
16:15 – 16:45 Staying One Step Ahead: Building a Proactive Sanctions Framework
True sanctions resilience goes beyond name-screening to a holistic, risk-based program that spans KYC/KYCC, ownership-structure analysis and sectoral-sanctions monitoring. Our speakers will share the playbook for designing controls that detect emerging threats—from 50%-rules exposure to maritime red flags—before they hit your portfolio.
