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.
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 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.
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.
A round-up of the latest trading standards prosecutions, including a builder jailed for fraud offences....
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has charged Richard Wells and Neil Debenham with conspiracy to defraud as part of its investigation into Safe Hands...
A Yorkshire waste operator, Jonathan Waldron, has been sentenced after acting as a company director while subject to an active bankruptcy order....
This week's edition of Corporate Crime weekly highlights includes analysis of the limitations of the UK’s current whistleblowing framework and the...
A round-up of the latest health and safety prosecutions, including a packaging company fined after a worker suffered life-changing head injuries when...
Brexit timelineOn 23 June 2016, the UK held a referendum on its membership of the EU, with a majority voting in favour of the UK leaving the EU. On 29...
Brexit legislation trackerThis Practice Note tracks the progress of UK legislation introduced as part of the legislative project associated with the...
Permission for nationally significant infrastructure projectsThe Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008) received Royal Assent on 26 November 2008. PA 2008...
Examination, entry, search and seizure powers of immigration officersStop press: The Border, Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 (BSAIA 2025)...
Immigration offencesStop press: The Border, Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 (BSAIA 2025) received royal assent on 2 December 2025. The Act...
Financial crime prevention—agents, intermediaries, associated persons, etc policy1Introduction1.1We run our business[es] with integrity. All of us...
Financial sanctions breach report formPlease supply as much information as possible about this suspected breach.If you require any help to complete...
Sanctions breach—panic sheet1Consider seeking external adviceGiven the complicated nature of most sanctions regimes; the potential for offences to...
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 [insert, eg Head of Legal]Date...
Common assault and batteryThe offences of common assault and batteryTechnically, the offences of assault and battery are separate summary offences. An...
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 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 harmThe offence of actual bodily harmThe offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) can be tried in...
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 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 casesThe subjective test for recklessnessCertain statutory and common law offences allow the prosecution to prove mens rea on...
Involuntary manslaughterInvoluntary manslaughter—introductionManslaughter can be classified as either voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter...
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 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 casesCriminal offences are generally divided into two categories: •conduct crimes, and •result crimesA...
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 intentThe offence of causing grievous bodily harm with intentWounding or causing grievous bodily harm...
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 proceedingsFor information on how criminal prosecutions are commenced in England and Wales, see Practice Notes:...
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 killThis Practice Note covers the offence of threats to kill. It looks at what the prosecution must prove and explores each of the elements...
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...
The Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 (FCA 1981) creates various offence concerning false instruments.
Intent to defraud means with intent to practise fraud.
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.