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 Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2026, SI 2026/97 amend the Civil Procedure Rules 1998. Most provisions commence on 6 April 2026, with two...
A round-up of the latest health and safety prosecutions, including a manufacturing company prosecuted after a worker suffered serious hand injuries...
The Home Office has announced plans to develop a world-first deepfake detection evaluation framework designed to establish consistent standards for...
A round-up of the latest environmental enforcement, including the illegal storage and disposal of liquid waste by a Cornwall-based waste collection...
This week's edition of Corporate Crime weekly highlights includes analysis of a recent High Court case which considered the expiry date and...
Latest Corporate Crime Practice Notes
The role of the Pensions RegulatorThis Practice Note provides an overview of the role of the Pensions Regulator (TPR). For information on the role of...
Packaging waste—enforcement and offencesSTOP PRESS: This content is under review as a result of the revocation from 1 January 2026 of packaging waste...
Mitigation in the sentencing of criminal offencesOnce a defendant has been convicted of a criminal offence by a criminal court in England and Wales,...
Sentences imposed following convictionThis Practice Note provides an overview of the different types of sentences and disposals which sentencing...
Allocation and sending for trial—sending of cases forthwith to the Crown Court for trialSending of cases forthwith to the Crown Court for trialAn...
Latest Corporate Crime Precedents
Sanctions breach response form and action plan1General informationDate[Insert date]Name of person completing this response form and action plan[Insert...
Sanctions breach—panic sheet1Consider seeking external adviceGiven the complicated nature of most sanctions regimes; the potential for offences to...
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...
Internal investigation—investigation reportPrivileged and confidentialNot for onward transmission without reference to [insert, eg Head of Legal]Date...
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
Code for Crown Prosecutors
Issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 and sets out the general principles Crown Prosecutors should follow when making decisions about prosecutions including the Full Code and Threshold Tests for deciding whether to charge a suspect in specific circumstances.
Forfeiture
Forfeiture is the lost right to possession.
Tipping off
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (PCA 2002), s 333A a person commits an offence if he discloses that he or another has made a disclosure under PCA 2002, pt 7.
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