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
A round-up of the latest trading standards prosecutions, including a market trader prosecuted for selling unsafe electrical products....
A round-up of the latest health and safety prosecutions, including a grocery wholesaler fined £1m after a worker was fatally injured when trapped...
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced the results of its latest compliance review into online consumer reviews, following a...
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has updated its general guidance on UK financial sanctions to include Designated Money Service...
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and HM Treasury (HMT) have updated the Tier 2/3 notification that Tier 1 Provider has not...
Latest Corporate Crime Practice Notes
Corporate Crime horizon scanner—2025This Practice Note provides a summary of the key legal developments that are expected to impact corporate crime...
Counter-proliferation financing—CPF—the basicsUNDER REVIEW: On 17 July, HM Treasury published the National risk assessment (NRA) of money laundering...
Cybersecurity breach notification requirementsFORTHCOMING CHANGE: On 19 June 2025, the Data (Use and Access) Bill received Royal Assent, becoming the...
Money laundering offences—the arrangement offenceThis Practice Note concerns the arrangement offence under section 328 of the Proceeds of Crime Act...
Scottish Corporate Crime horizon scanner 2025This Practice Note provides a summary of the key legal developments that are expected to impact Scottish...
Latest Corporate Crime Precedents
Upjohn warning (US)I am a lawyer for [insert organisation name]. I represent only [insert organisation name], and I do not represent you personally.I...
Sanctions breach response form and action plan1General informationDate[Insert date]Name of person completing this response form and action plan[Insert...
Internal investigation—investigation reportPrivileged and confidentialNot for onward transmission without reference to [Head of Legal/Name of law...
Financial sanctions breach report formPlease supply as much information as possible about this suspected breach.If you require any help to complete...
Internal investigations—interview invitation letterAs you may be aware, the Company is currently [being investigated by the [insert name of agency] OR...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Strict liability
Strict liabilityStrict liability applies to offences for which the prosecution is not required to prove mens rea for one or more elements of the...
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...
Involuntary manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughterInvoluntary manslaughter—introductionManslaughter can be classified as either voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter...
Common law offence of false imprisonment
Common law offence of false imprisonmentThe offence of false imprisonmentFalse imprisonment is a common law offence but it is more common as a civil...
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...
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...
Causing fear or provocation of violence
Causing fear or provocation of violenceThe offence of causing fear or provocation of violenceThe offence of causing fear or provocation of violence...
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...
Burden and standard of proof in criminal proceedings
Burden and standard of proof in criminal proceedingsThere are two kinds of ‘burden’ in criminal proceedings:•the legal burden, and•the evidential...
Time limits for commencing criminal proceedings
Time limits for commencing criminal proceedingsFor information on how criminal prosecutions are commenced in England and Wales, see Practice Notes:...
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...
Threats to kill
Threats to killThis Practice Note covers the offence of threats to kill. It looks at what the prosecution must prove and explores each of the elements...
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...
Associated legal terms
Committal for sentence
Procedure whereby a person convicted in a magistrates’ court is sent to the Crown Court for sentencing when the sentencing powers of the magistrates’ court are not considered sufficient.
Information
A formal statement made to the magistrates’ court (either in writing or orally) to obtain the issue of a summons or warrant under section 1 of the Magistrates’ Court Act 1980. Private prosecutions are commenced by laying an information as opposed to the written charge/requisition procedure (CJA 2003, s 30(4)(b)).
Summary Only Offence
A criminal offence which is normally tried in a magistrates’ court and which is generally considered to be less serious than other types of offences. The sentencing powers for summary only matters are more limited although there are some which are punishable by way of imprisonment and/or unlimited fines. There are also time limits for commencing summary only proceedings.
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