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 weekly round-up of the latest health and safety prosecutions, including a ceramics manufacturer fined after a young girl was injured by falling...
The Sentencing Council has launched a consultation on draft sentencing guidelines for the immigration offence of endangering another person during a...
A weekly round-up of the latest environmental enforcement developments, including the Environment Agency (EA)’s acceptance of enforcement undertakings...
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has published a report examining how public-private partnerships (PPPs), other information-sharing mechanisms...
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have launched the Cyber Resilience Pledge...
Latest Corporate Crime Practice Notes
This Practice Note introduces the concept of secondary ticketing in the online marketplace and outlines the key legal issues and regulation that...
This Practice Note sets out a brief description of the key consumer legislation that businesses dealing with consumers should be aware of. It...
HMRC's information powers in Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2008 (FA 2008) (see Practice Note: HMRC information powers) are supplemented by...
FORTHCOMING CHANGE: The Sentencing Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 22 January 2026, makes wide-ranging amendments to the Sentencing Code,...
This Practice Note explains the approach used by the Scottish criminal courts when determining sentences to impose on individuals and organisations...
Latest Corporate Crime Precedents
As you may be aware, the Company is currently [being investigated by the [insert name of agency] OR conducting an internal investigation] in relation...
1Introduction1.1Bribery and corruption remain major issues in world trade, despite the many dedicated efforts to prevent them. They are very damaging...
1Opening statement from senior management1.1[Name of organisation] is committed to preventing acts of modern slavery and human trafficking from...
1Introduction1.1We run our business[es] with integrity. All of us must work together to ensure our business[es] [remains OR remain] untainted by...
1Introduction1.1We run our business[es] with integrity. All of us must work together to ensure our business[es] remain[s] untainted by bribery and...
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
Appellant
A person who is appealing against a decision of the court.
Directors criminal liability
Where statutes create offences which are likely to be committed by corporations it is common for them to provide that any director, manager, secretary or similar officer may, as well as the body corporate, be guilty of the offence.
Written charge
A document, issued by a public prosecutor under section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which institutes criminal proceedings by charging a person with an offence.
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