Blog
Private prosecutions – A route to justice for the charity sector
Sophie Tang
7 November 2016
Criticisms of slavery statements, a focus on prosecuting offenders and imposing STPOs: the year that taught us the Modern Slavery Act is not a tick-box exercise
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“MSA 2015”), which came into force on 31 July 2015, was the first legislative framework to specifically address slavery and trafficking in the 21st Century. We look back over the past year to see how it has been used, what impact it has had and what developments there have been since.
3 November 2016
Increased prosecutions of individuals and more prison sentences in health and safety cases
The FT reported at the end of October that the number of company directors and senior managers prosecuted for health and safety offences has shown a marked increase. Figures obtained from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that in the year to 31 March 2016, 46 company directors and senior managers were prosecuted for health and safety offences. In earlier years the equivalent numbers were 15 (2015), 23 (2012), and 31 (2011).
31 October 2016
New FCA Chief seeks to redefine mission of the organisation
On 26 October 2016, the FCA launched a consultation on its Mission, a document intended to inform the FCA's strategy and day-to-day work over the coming years.
19 October 2016
EU adopts rules to guarantee legal aid in criminal proceedings
Earlier this month the European Council gave its approval to the Directive on legal aid for suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings and in European arrest warrant proceedings. The purpose of the Directive is to enshrine in European law a common set of standards for suspects and accused persons to access legal aid. Whether this will have any impact in the UK, which along with Denmark and Ireland exercised its right to avoid opting in to this measure, remains to be seen.
13 October 2016
Crimes committed using social media: new guidelines
According to a recent survey 89% of the UK population is an active internet user. 38 million people actively use social media, 31 million actively use Facebook, and 15 million actively use Twitter. Regrettably, not all social media users are using platforms for legitimate purposes and the Crown Prosecution Service (the “CPS”) has been forced to react to this reality.
- Controlling and coercive behaviour
- Corporate crime
- Corporate manslaughter and health and safety
- Crime and justice
- Cyber crime
- Extradition and international crime
- Financial crime and financial regulatory enforcement
- Fraud
- Internal investigations
- Legal Updates
- Online Safety Regulation
- Police investigations
- Proceeds of Crime
- The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act
- Unexplained Wealth Orders
- Youth crime and justice