Senior management at prominent firms including Allen & Overy senior partner Wim Dejonghe, Ashurst chair Ben Tidswell, Baker & McKenzie managing partner Paul Rawlinson, Herbert Smith Freehills joint chief executives Sonya Leydecker and Mark Rigotti, Hogan Lovells chair Nicholas Cheffings, Linklaters senior partner Robert Elliott and White & Case London executive partner Oliver Brettle are part of a group to state they 'deplore the damage caused to social progress and economic development by corruption.'

‘We recognise our responsibility’

The statement, which was also signed by top executives from firms including PwC, EY and KPMG, said: 'Our organisations play important roles in the global economy and the operation of the world's capital investment and real estate markets. As providers of professional services, we each take pride in the part we play in helping to strengthen trust within society, and we recognise our responsibility to carry out our work with due consideration of the public interest.'

‘Committed to play our part’

'We are committed to play our part in efforts to prevent the proceeds of crime and corruption from entering legitimate capital and investment markets; the importance of this challenge has never been clearer.'

Firms linked in database

The statement follows news this week that a number of prominent law firms, among them signatories of the statement, have been named as firms linked to secret offshore entities in a database created by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

Sources: Legal Business; Sky News