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Criminal Law Blog

19 February 2018

Criminal evidence disclosure in crisis – what does this mean for private prosecutors?

 ‘Hundreds of cases dropped over evidence disclosure failings’[1]; ‘All current rape cases to be ‘urgently’ reviewed over disclosure fears’[2]; ‘Police chief admits ‘culture problem’ with evidence disclosure’[3]; these are all headlines which have featured in the media recently following the collapse of several high profile rape trials in quick succession. It goes without saying that the disclosure process is one of the fundamental cornerstones in the criminal justice system. Ensuring the availability of all relevant information is key to safe and fair prosecutions and to proper convictions. The current crisis in disclosure is therefore a worrying one striking at the heart of public confidence in our justice system

Melinka Berridge

19 February 2018

Guest blog: Should companies have a duty to prevent human rights abuses?

The Kingsley Napley International Conference 2018 held a panel debate on “Considering corporate liability for human rights abuses and international crimes, now and in the future.” Read our follow up blog from panelist Alison Macdonald QC. 

15 February 2018

The Justice Committee’s report on the Sentencing Council’s draft guidelines on manslaughter

At the end of 2017, the Justice Committee published its report on the Sentencing Council’s draft guidelines on manslaughter.

14 February 2018

What you need to know about Unexplained Wealth Orders

Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs), first ratified in the Criminal Finances Act of April last year, are now in force meaning UK law enforcement agencies have a new tool at their disposal to help fight organised crime.  Media reports have cited 'fishy millionaires', the wealth of corrupt overseas politicians and the properties of oligarchs as the intended targets.  In practice however UWOs can be applied to any asset over £50,000 where there are reasonable grounds for suspecting dirty money is involved. Accountants, tax advisers and private wealth managers therefore need to understand how UWOs work and why their clients, innocent or otherwise, might be at risk.

13 February 2018

FAQs: Compensation for victims of crime

For many of those affected by crime, reporting the offence to the police or even securing the conviction of the perpetrator can fall short of remedying the damage sustained. It may be that the injury and trauma are so severe that additional funding is required for medical care, household adjustments, or even future therapy.

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