News & Advice

An unusual case recently came before the Upper Tribunal, considering an issue under the Forfeiture Act 1982. The forfeiture rule says that a person cannot benefit from their own wrongdoing, especially if that wrongdoing results in the death of another person. The rule means that if someone kills a person, they cannot rely on that… Continue reading The Forfeiture Rule

A case recently came before the Recorder of London. It was ruled that it was not in the public interest to force a journalist to hand over material that would identify a potential terrorist.           The journalist in question was Chris Mullin, and the police applied for an order for him… Continue reading A journalist and his sources

In 1987 a private investigator called Daniel Morgan was murdered in Sydenham; despite several investigations, no one has been convicted for his murder. It was long suspected that police corruption may have played a part in either the murder or the failure to bring the murderer to justice. As a result of the suspicions, the… Continue reading Daniel Morgan review & alleged Met Police corruption

The Government has announced that a new offence of cyberflashing is to be introduced. The offence will be included in the Online Safety Bill as part of the Government’s efforts to ensure laws keep pace with emerging crimes.  What is cyberflashing?  Typically, cyberflashing involves a person sending an unsolicited sexual image via social media, dating… Continue reading Cyberflashing

Europol has issued a report on the way criminal networks have adapted to new opportunities and demand for products generated by the pandemic. The Intellectual Property Crime Theft Assessment 2022 was produced by Europol and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). It is a strategic report updating policymakers and the public on the threat from… Continue reading Counterfeit and pirated goods

The House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts has published a report on reducing the backlog in criminal courts. The committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the accounts “showing the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament to meet the public expenditure, and of such other accounts laid before Parliament as… Continue reading Reducing the backlog in criminal courts

A Bill is progressing through Parliament to set up a register of overseas entities and their beneficial owners and require overseas entities who own land to register in certain circumstances. It also makes provisions about unexplained wealth orders and sanctions.  The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill has three main objectives: To prevent and combat… Continue reading Economic Crime

A government press release has the heading “thousands of new prison places to rehabilitate offenders and cut crime.” It seems odd when most people would not think of a prison sentence as rehabilitation but rather as a punishment or deterrent. The announcement goes on to say that there will be an “unprecedented” refurbishment and expansion… Continue reading Prison places

In a recent case, the Supreme Court considered the issue of privacy. The Court held that, in general, a person under criminal investigation has, prior to being charged, a reasonable expectation of privacy in respect of information relating to that investigation. ZXC (as he was referred to in the case) was a US citizen working… Continue reading Pre-charge Privacy

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced funding for councils in England to support domestic abuse victims. The funding is to be used to provide safe accommodation spaces, for example refuges and shelters, with provision for vital support services. Such services would include healthcare, social workers and benefits, immigration advice and other… Continue reading Domestic Abuse