Second Hearing of Glencore Case Concludes; Substantive Debates Scheduled for June 2027

The second hearing in the Glencore case concluded just moments ago in London, England, revealing that no names have been disclosed at this stage, as the trial has yet to commence. Substantive debates are scheduled to begin on June 1, 2027, as announced by a judge from the Southwark Crown Court on October 9, 2024.

Former executives of Glencore Plc, accused of corruption in West and Central Africa by the United Kingdom, will also have to await the year 2027 for their trial. The backlog in English courts has been exacerbated by years of underfunding, the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing lawyer strikes.

The investigation has been conducted by the Serious Fraud Office. In Cameroon, a complaint has been lodged by the Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures (SNH) with the Special Criminal Court. The SNH has indicated that the London trial will provide insights into those responsible for the corruption, but they too will have to wait until 2027 for clarity.

The judge at Southwark Crown Court stated that the trial is expected to last six months, running from June 2027 to December 2027.