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
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announces prosecution of nightclub owner Paul Kelly and accountant John Parry at Preston Crown Court for a £4.9m tax...
Law360, London: Allegations by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) that an insurance broker failed to prevent bribery will tread new ground, a sign that...
A round-up of the latest trading standards prosecutions, including a major supermarket chain fined over £400,000 for selling out-of-date food....
The Home Office has unveiled new sanctions targeting online platforms that fail to remove knife-related content, following its consultation which...
Following the publication of the Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) new corporate guidance setting out expectations for Deferred Prosecution Agreements...
Latest Corporate Crime Practice Notes
Mandatory life sentencesMandatory life sentencesA court must impose a sentence for life (life sentence) in respect of an offender who is aged 21 or...
FCA prosecution of criminal offences—essentialsThis Practice Note sets out criminal offences that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) can prosecute...
Sentencing dangerous offendersThis Practice Note reflects the procedural code for sentencing offenders in England and Wales (Sentencing Code) that...
Waste duty of care—extractive wasteThe statutory duty of care in relation to extractive waste was introduced through amendments made to the...
The SFO's approach to Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs)Forthcoming change: the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is in the process of updating its...
Latest Corporate Crime Precedents
Anti-bribery and corruption—charitable and political donations policy1Introduction1.1We run our business[es] with integrity. All of us must work...
Internal investigations—sample privilege logPlease click for the Precedent sample privilege log.Please note that this register has been prepared in...
Internal investigation—investigation reportPrivileged and confidentialNot for onward transmission without reference to [Head of Legal/Name of law...
Anti-slavery and human trafficking statementSTOP PRESS: On 24 March 2025, the government published a fully revised and updated verson of its...
Anti-bribery and corruption—gifts and hospitality policy1Introduction1.1We run our business[es] with integrity. All of us must work together to ensure...
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...
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...
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...
Involuntary manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughterInvoluntary manslaughter—introductionManslaughter can be classified as either voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter...
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...
Threats to kill
Threats to killThe offence of threats to killThe offence of threats to kill is an offence which can be tried in the magistrates' court or the Crown...
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...
Fraud by false representation
Fraud by false representationThis Practice Note covers the offence of fraud by false representation. You may also be interested in the following...
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...
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...
Perverting the course of justice
Perverting the course of justiceElements of the offence of perverting the course of justicePerverting the course of justice is a common law offence...
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...
Criminal damage
Criminal damageGeneralSimple criminal damage is triable either way unless the value of the alleged damage is £5,000 or less, in which case the offence...
Perjury
PerjuryPerjury in judicial proceedings The offence of perjury is triable only on indictment and carries a maximum penalty of seven years and/or a...
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...
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...
Money laundering offences—tipping off and prejudicing an investigation
Money laundering offences—tipping off and prejudicing an investigationTipping off and prejudicing an investigationIt would undermine the benefit to...
Associated legal terms
Indictable Only
An offence which is triable only on indictment in the Crown Court. An adult defendant must be sent forthwith to the Crown Court from the magistrates’ court if charged with an indictable-only offence.
Information
A formal statement made to the magistrates’ court (either in writing or orally) to obtain the issue of a summons or warrant under section 1 of the Magistrates’ Court Act 1980. Private prosecutions are commenced by laying an information as opposed to the written charge/requisition procedure (CJA 2003, s 30(4)(b)).
Written charge
A document, issued by a public prosecutor under section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which institutes criminal proceedings by charging a person with an offence.
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