Law and the Justice System

Northern Ireland’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) has secured its first civil recovery order.

http://www.policeprofessional.com/news.aspx?id=32016

The average length of custodial sentences for tax fraud has increased by 25 per cent to just over four years, as the government clamps down on tax evasion.

http://www.cityam.com/283573/average-prison-sentence-tax-fraud-rises-four-years

Home Secretary Amber Rudd announces a multi-million pound commitment to tackle those who use the anonymity of the online space for illegal activities.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/home-secretary-speech-on-law-enforcement-crackdown-on-dark-web

Scam victims are being targeted multiple times by fraudsters who trade, buy and sell so-called “sucker lists” that include their personal and financial information.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/personal-banking/savings/sucker-list-fraudsters-stole-280000-2017-took-11000-year-later/

Bailiffs who aggressively pursue debts will come under fresh scrutiny through plans announced by ministers to tackle intimidating and inappropriate behaviour.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/crackdown-on-rogue-bailiffs

This Treasury Committee inquiry will have two strands: one looking at the anti-money laundering and sanctions regime, and one considering economic crime as it affects consumers.

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/treasury-committee/inquiries1/parliament-2017/economic-crime-17-19/

Saunders, who has faced criticism during her five years as head of CPS, will not seek to renew contract

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/apr/02/alison-saunders-quit-director-of-public-prosecutions-cps

Think only senior citizens fall for online cons and telephone scams? Think again because a new generation is even more vulnerable.

https://www.rd.com/advice/saving-money/financial-scams-millennials/

A solicitor who was jailed last year for stealing millions from her clients and the Church of England has seen the amount she has to pay back increased by £500,000 – to nearly £2.5m – or face a further eight years in prison.

https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/jailed-solicitor-told-to-repay-an-extra-500000-of-criminal-proceeds-or-face-more-prison-time

The first virtual court case has been held with a claimant appearing via a home laptop camera, while an extremely patient judge sat in a London tribunal and lawyers presented evidence from Belfast.

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/mar/26/first-virtual-court-case-held-using-claimant-laptop-camera