About Corporate Crime
Over the last ten years, the Government has passed a series of laws creating new corporate criminal offences - from corporate manslaughter, money laundering, bribery and insider dealing to environmental health and consumer protection. Keeping on top of the latest laws, cases and commentary is a challenge – but the stakes are higher than ever.
Bribery and corruption
Businesses facing prosecution for recent or historic bribery and corruption offences need quick, accurate, and practical advice on investigations and self-reporting. Our content offers unique practical insight.
Health and safety offences
Investigations into workplace accidents can be lengthy and complex. Our content provides practical advice on health and safety and gross negligence manslaughter offences, investigations and prosecutions.
Private prosecutions
Private prosecutions are on the rise, as businesses see it as a way to secure justice in financial crime cases. Our bespoke suite supports anyone seeking to bring and challenge private prosecutions.
Keeping up to date
As the scope and volume of corporate criminal offences increase, keeping track of changes is a constant challenge. Our weekly highlights and trackers keep you up to date with all the latest developments.
Topics We Cover
Latest Corporate Crime News
The Export Control Joint Unit has announced that amendments to Syria sanctions by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) took effect...
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Bill has completed its Third Reading...
MLex: Draft legislation that seeks to define cryptoassets and stablecoins (and to bring certain activities related to them within the regulatory...
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced new measures to combat waste crime. Local authorities will receive powers...
Notable updates to the 10th Edition (published April 2024) include:...
Latest Corporate Crime Practice Notes
Illegal working: dealing with a criminal allegationThis Practice Note provides an overview of the main criminal offences relating to illegal working...
Debarment for bribery convictionsSTOP PRESS: As of 24 February 2025, the main provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023) are in force....
Practical steps in a bribery investigation—UK and US perspectivesWho is investigating?In our current globalised market, it is very common for multiple...
Reporting restrictions in criminal casesGuide for the judiciary and the media on reporting restrictionsThe guide for judges and the media, Reporting...
Summary of SFO's bribery guidance and policiesForthcoming change alert: the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is in the process of updating its guidances for...
Latest Corporate Crime Precedents
Internal investigations—sample privilege logPlease click for the Precedent sample privilege log.Please note that this register has been prepared in...
Internal investigation—investigation reportPrivileged and confidentialNot for onward transmission without reference to [Head of Legal/Name of law...
Anti-slavery and human trafficking statementSTOP PRESS: On 24 March 2025, the government published a fully revised and updated verson of its...
Anti-bribery and corruption—gifts and hospitality policy1Introduction1.1We run our business[es] with integrity. All of us must work together to ensure...
Product safety teamsheet1Internal teamPerson in charge of Product Safety[Name and contact details of person in the organisation with overall...
Latest Corporate Crime Q&As
Featured Corporate Crime content
Common assault and battery
Common assault and batteryThe offences of common assault and batteryTechnically, the offences of assault and battery are separate summary offences. An...
Criminal act or omission
Criminal act or omissionFor a person to be found guilty of a criminal offence it must be shown that they:•acted in a particular way, or•failed to act...
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
Assault occasioning actual bodily harmThe offence of actual bodily harmThe offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) can be tried in...
Involuntary manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughterInvoluntary manslaughter—introductionManslaughter can be classified as either voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter...
Causation and intervening acts in criminal cases
Causation and intervening acts in criminal casesCriminal offences are generally divided into two categories: •conduct crimes, and •result crimesA...
Threats to kill
Threats to killThe offence of threats to killThe offence of threats to kill is an offence which can be tried in the magistrates' court or the Crown...
Recklessness in criminal cases
Recklessness in criminal casesThe subjective test for recklessnessCertain statutory and common law offences allow the prosecution to prove mens rea on...
Fraud by false representation
Fraud by false representationThis Practice Note covers the offence of fraud by false representation. You may also be interested in the following...
Entrapment
Entrapment There is no defence of entrapment in English law but it is considered to be an abuse of the process of the court for state agents to lure a...
Affray
AffrayAffray is an offence created by the Public Order Act 1986 (POA 1986). It can be tried in either the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court. The...
Self defence
Self defenceSelf defenceSelf defence is an absolute defence based on the evidence which can apply in crimes committed by force. Section 76 of the...
Perverting the course of justice
Perverting the course of justiceElements of the offence of perverting the course of justicePerverting the course of justice is a common law offence...
Automatism
AutomatismDefinition of automatismAn act is done in a state of Automatism if it is done by the body without control by the mind, (eg it is a spasm or...
Criminal damage
Criminal damageGeneralSimple criminal damage is triable either way unless the value of the alleged damage is £5,000 or less, in which case the offence...
Perjury
PerjuryPerjury in judicial proceedings The offence of perjury is triable only on indictment and carries a maximum penalty of seven years and/or a...
Wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent
Wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intentThe offence of causing grievous bodily harm with intentWounding or causing grievous bodily harm...
Specific and basic intent
Specific and basic intentIntention refers to the outcome sought by the defendant. Offences may be described as either ones of ‘basic intent’ or of...
Money laundering offences—tipping off and prejudicing an investigation
Money laundering offences—tipping off and prejudicing an investigationTipping off and prejudicing an investigationIt would undermine the benefit to...
Associated legal terms
Market abuse
For the purposes of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, market abuse is behaviour which (1) occurs in relation to: qualifying investments admitted to trading on a prescribed market; qualifying investments in respect of which a request for admission to trading on such a market has been made; or in the case of two of the specified kinds of behaviour, investments which are related investments in relation to such qualifying investments and (2) falls within any one or more of the types of behaviour.
Newton Hearing
A hearing in criminal proceedings required when the defendant pleads guilty to an offence(s) but there is disagreement with the prosecution as to the material facts on which the defendant should be sentenced. This can occur when the accused pleads guilty on a specific basis that the prosecution does not accept.
Written basis of plea
In limited circumstances, the law allows for a form of plea bargaining where the prosecution agree in writing to profferring a more limited charge on condition of the accused pleading guilty.
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