Law and the Justice System

The head of the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has said he is ready to put the agency’s new powers to use to help investigate and prosecute fraudsters.

The prosecutors new investigative powers, which come into force today, allow the agency to collect information and evidence before an investigation is opened.

Sir Keir Starmer is set to unveil plans to “restore standards in public life with a total crackdown on cronyism”.

The Labour leader will reveal his blueprint on Thursday that could see people who defraud the government face going to jail for more than 10 years.

A convicted benefits fraudster, who orchestrated a decade-long scheme to cheat taxpayers out of at least £1.7 million, has been ordered to repay more than £2m or face a nine-year prison sentence, reported the MailOnline.

https://www.easterneye.biz/authorities-order-benefits-fraudster-to-repay-2m/

In this current economic climate, litigation is on the rise as market pressure results in contract fallout and the rise of fraud.

Over 2024, the English High Court diary is busy with these type of cases, however, it is also filled with cases over alleged confidential leaks, missing aircraft in Russia and the alleged negligence of a Big Four accountancy firm.

In response to concerns about effective prosecution of the current epidemic of financial crime, the Home Office has announced the launch of an independent review into the disclosure regime and fraud offences more widely.

https://www.ftadviser.com/opinion/2023/12/04/fraud-deterrence-is-impotent-when-conviction-rates-are-so-low/

A new bill that will grant the government powers to order banks to monitor benefit claimant’s accounts for fraud cleared another hurdle in Parliament yesterday after MPs passed the bill.

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill was passed by 269 votes to 31 in the House of Commons yesterday evening and it will now be debated in the House of Lords.

Climate Wiseman was found guilty after selling ‘plague protection oil’ to his followers.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2023/11/29/preacher-convicted-of-fraud-over-bogus-covid-cure-loses-appeal/

The High Court has criticised a leading private prosecutions law firm for the information it provided to persuade a judge to issue summonses alleging fraud against three people.

https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/high-court-criticises-firm-for-private-prosecution-disclosure-failure

A number of experts are concerned that making the mis-selling of tax avoidance schemes a criminal, rather than civil, offence could set a ‘dangerous precedent’.

In a discussion at the House of Lords on Monday afternoon (November 13), a panel of experts were questioned on the government’s new finance bill.

https://www.ftadviser.com/investments/2023/11/14/experts-call-for-judicial-review-before-criminal-fraud-laws-applied/

New legislation will change how businesses deal with Companies House, including plans affecting small businesses.

The changes are aimed at clamping down on fraudsters in what has been deemed the ‘biggest shake-up’ to the government service in its 180-year history.