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 Home Office has announced plans to strengthen powers for police and local authorities to close businesses linked to organised crime by extending...
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has published its third annual progress report on the implementation and operation of Parts 1–3 of the...
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has secured convictions against David Greenhalgh and Christos Farmakis at Southwark Crown Court, following a trial...
The Home Office has launched PoliceAI, a national centre dedicated to the responsible development, piloting and scaling of artificial intelligence...
This week's edition of Corporate Crime weekly highlights includes analysis of the what the SFO’s deferred prosecution agreement with Ultra Electronics...
Latest Corporate Crime Practice Notes
This Practice Note provides a summary of the key legal developments that are expected to impact corporate crime lawyers in England and Wales during...
The Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010) criminalises:•bribing another person (active bribery)•soliciting or accepting a bribe (passive bribery)•bribing a...
What is littering?Litter can be anything from a crisp packet to a bag of rubbish. All litter is unsightly and causes untidiness. Common litter items...
Forthcoming change: The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, makes it illegal to sell tobacco to, or purchase...
The offence of actual bodily harmThe offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) can be tried in either the magistrates' court or the...
Latest Corporate Crime Precedents
This document provides general guidance on what to expect at a coroner’s inquest for those who have been called to give evidence. Your lawyer will be...
1Introduction1.1Bribery and corruption remain major issues in world trade, despite the many dedicated efforts to prevent them. They are very damaging...
Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. As you are aware, we are conducting an investigation on behalf of [insert organisation's name] into...
1General informationDate[Insert date]Name of person completing this response form and action plan[Insert name]Date sanctions breach report form...
1Consider seeking external adviceGiven the complicated nature of most sanctions regimes; the potential for offences to have been committed across...
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
Corruption
'Corruptly' means purposely doing an act which the law forbids as tending to corrupt.
Justice of the Peace
A magistrate including a lay magistrate or a District Judge sitting in the magistrates’ court.
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.
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