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 Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its response to the House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee’s (FSRC) report on...
The Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUA) is set to receive Royal Assent and become an Act of Parliament on Thursday 19 June 2025. This follows its...
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has announced a new package of 30 sanctions targeting Russia's financial, military and energy sectors. The measures...
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has announced that its Pre-recorded Evidence (PRE) service is now operational across all Crown Courts in England...
A round-up of the latest health and safety prosecutions, including an oil and gas operator fined after workers became trapped in a water-filled lift...
Latest Corporate Crime Practice Notes
Brexit legislation trackerThis Practice Note tracks the progress of UK legislation introduced as part of the legislative project associated with the...
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...
Terms and content of a DPAWhat must a DPA contain?The statutory requirements for the content of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) are found in...
Business protection from misleading marketingThis Practice Note summarises the law, guidance and practice relating to the Business Protection from...
High-risk third countries trackerOrganisations caught by the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer)...
Latest Corporate Crime Precedents
Notice of appeal pursuant to section 80(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 against an abatement notice for a statutory nuisance[name, address...
Internal investigations—sample interview warning (UK)Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. As you are aware, we are conducting an...
Financial crime prevention—agents, intermediaries, associated persons, etc policy1Introduction1.1We run our business[es] with integrity. All of us...
Anti-bribery and corruption policy1Introduction1.1Bribery and corruption remain major issues in world trade, despite the many dedicated efforts to...
Internal investigation—document retention noticeStrictly Private & ConfidentialNot to be circulated outside of [insert organisation's name][...
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
Committal for sentence (Corporate Crime)
The process of sending a defendant to be sentenced by the Crown Court in accordance with section 3 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 where the magistrates conclude that they lack sufficient power to sentence a defendant on summary conviction.
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.
Inchoate offences
Inchoate offence is criminal offences designed to punish the acts prior to the committing of another crime.
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