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 environmental enforcement developments, including suspended sentences for a man who illegally deposited waste and a...
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has amended General Licences INT/2025/7895596 and INT/2025/8031092 under regulation 64 of the...
A weekly round-up of the latest health and safety prosecutions, including an unregistered gas installer sentenced for carrying out illegal gas work, a...
Law360, Expert analysis: The dismissal of criminal charges at Southwark Crown Court on 9 July in R v Hauser & Wirth Gallery Ltd & another, against...
The Prime Minister’s Office has announced plans to give councils and communities greater control over high streets. New vape shops in England will...
Latest Corporate Crime Practice Notes
FORTHCOMING CHANGE relating to reforming information powers and modernising computer records law: on Legislation-Day, 13 July 2026, the government...
FORTHCOMING CHANGE relating to the proposed introduction of a criminal offence for making reckless untrue statements or declarations in direct tax: on...
This Practice Note examines the scope, creation, and functions of the Fair Work Agency (FWA). Those functions include enforcement of national minimum...
This Practice Note explains the circumstances in which a convicted offender may receive a reduced sentence for having pleaded guilty in accordance...
Though taking preventative steps obviously makes good sense (see Practice Note: Cybercrime prevention), it is not possible to totally eradicate the...
Latest Corporate Crime Precedents
1Consider seeking external adviceGiven the complicated nature of most sanctions regimes; the potential for offences to have been committed across...
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...
1Opening statement from senior management1.1[Name of organisation] is committed to preventing acts of modern slavery and human trafficking from...
[name] [District] [Borough] [City] CouncilABATEMENT NOTICEmade under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990To: [name] of [address]Take...
In the [insert name] Magistrates' Court[insert date]Defendant: [insert name of person responsible for the statutory nuisance OR where applicable, the...
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
Defraud
To defraud is by deceit to induce a course of action.
PACE Code of Practice
Codes of Practice which regulate police powers and protect public rights which are required to be published by the Home Office under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. PACE Codes of Practice cover stop and search; arrest; detention; investigation; identification and interviewing detainees.
Witness compellability
A compellable witness is one who may lawfully be required to give evidence and, while separate from the question of competence, witnesses who are competent to testify are generally also compellable.
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