Mark Cotter K.C. represented Terence Dorothy in the recently concluded case of SFO v. GPT Special Project Management Ltd, Jeffrey Cook, John Mason and Terence Dorothy.
The case centred on allegations of corruption between December 2008 and July 2010 in relation to contracts awarded to GPT in respect of work carried out for the Saudi Arabian National Guard.
GPT Special Project Management Ltd pleaded guilty in April 2021 to a single count of corruption contrary to Section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 and was ordered to pay over £30m in confiscation, fines and costs.
On the 6th March 2024, following a lengthy trial, Jeffrey Cook and John Mason were acquitted of the corruption allegation. However, Mr. Cook was convicted of misconduct in public office and awaits sentence.
Mark Cotter K.C. instructed by GT Stewart, represented Terence Dorothy who was alleged to have been involved in the corruption as a specialist telecoms contractor.
In April 2022, prior to the first trial (which was eventually aborted), fitness to plead arguments had been advanced on behalf of Mr. Dorothy. When an impasse arose, due to the experts being unable to determine the issue of fitness to plead until the trial process was at the stage of the defence case, The Honourable Mr. Justice Bryan allowed time for written representations to be made to the SFO on behalf of Mr. Dorothy. Mark Cotter K.C. (leading Ronnie Manek) and Greg Stewart of GT Stewart then drafted detailed representations to the SFO.
In response to these representations, the SFO approached the Law Officers and the Solicitor General eventually signed a Nolle Prosequi in relation to Mr. Dorothy, thus bringing the proceedings against him to an end.
Mark Cotter K.C. specialises in defending and prosecuting the most serious and complex cases, including corruption and bribery.
