United Kingdom: Crime

The corporate offence of Failure to Prevent Fraud (FtPF) in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 creates criminal liability for in scope organisations where an “associated person” (employees, agents, subsidiaries or others acting for or on behalf of the firm) commits a “specified fraud offence” intending to benefit the firm or its customers, unless the firm can demonstrate, on the balance of probabilities, that it had reasonable prevention procedures in place at the time or that it was not reasonable in all the circumstances to have any procedures.

Our Motoring Defence team has seen a 300% increase in motorists who have unknowingly bought insurance from so-called “ghost brokers”: fraudsters selling invalid or manipulated policies that leave drivers completely exposed.

A client arrested on assault allegations made by his wife received urgent police station representation. After detailed disclosure review revealed no evidence of injury and inconsistencies in the complainant's account, a focused defence statement was prepared. The police subsequently decided to take no further action, allowing the client to avoid criminal proceedings.

The Computer Misuse Act 1990 was enacted when the internet was in its infancy, yet it remains the cornerstone of UK cybercrime law today. How do these decades-old provisions apply to modern hacking offences, DDoS attacks, and cyber vandalism in an era where digital systems underpin virtually every aspect of daily life? This comprehensive guide examines the key offences, their legal requirements, potential sentences, and critical defence strategies that specialist cyber crime solicitors employ when challengi

The digital age has made films, TV shows, and music instantly accessible online, but much of this content is shared illegally without copyright owners' consent. Criminal prosecutions for online piracy can result in substantial fines and even imprisonment, though enforcement typically targets distributors rather than individual consumers.

The High Court has provided important guidance on when courts should restrict public access to documents filed in civil proceedings, particularly where there are parallel criminal prosecutions. In Various Claimants v Entain Plc, the court considered for the first time the circumstances in which a "filing modification order" should be made under the Access to Public Domain Documents pilot scheme, balancing the principle of open justice against the need to protect the fairness of ongoing criminal proceedings.

The International Criminal Police Organisation, or INTERPOL, issues eight types of colour-coded Notices and corresponding diffusions to facilitate international police cooperation.

Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether the provider of two online image boards has failed to comply with duties to protect people in the UK from illegal content.

The former CEO of French cement conglomerate Lafarge has been sentenced to six years in prison for paying terrorists in order to further the company’s business interests.