DPP Advocates New Ethos at CPS
August 2, 2009 by Lewis Nedas
Keir Starmer QC in The Times (23/07/09) advocates a new approach to be taken by the CPS, following the decision to merge the CPS with RCPO to form one cohesive prosecuting agency. The DPP believes that the CPS should present itself as a service, rather than as part of the Criminal Justice System; that there should be a move away from the current fixation upon targets for the CPS, and that means a change in their approach to delivery.
He calls for core quality standards; more accountability and transparency of decision making and states that approach should be apparent throughout the whole Criminal Justice System.
Read the full article at: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6723781.ece
FSA Increase Fines
July 20, 2009 by Lewis Nedas
The FSA has announced that it will increase fines to be levied against those found guilty of market abuse, in regulatory proceedings, to a minimum of £100,00 for individuals and a maximum of £50 million for companies.
There is, however, increasing pressure upon the FSA to institute more criminal proceedings against those suspected of insider dealing and misleading shareholders.
Operation Ore to be challenged in the Court Of Appeal
July 7, 2009 by Lewis Nedas
Operation Ore, the largest in depth online paedophile investigation, is to be challenged in the Court Of Appeal. The legal challenge will focus upon Crown evidence regarding the use of credit cards to access an American online trading company that provided access to adult pornography and paedophile images.
The Appeal raises issues concerning the disclosure of material and evidence showing the fraudulent use of the Appellant’s credit card.
Home Secretary to Increase Powers to Restrain Assets
July 7, 2009 by Lewis Nedas
The new Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, has just announced that he intends to increase the already draconian powers held by a range of State agencies to restrain assets. He appears to be concerned that various agencies to date have a poor record when seeking, in particular, the luxury items held by those suspected to be serious criminals. This means that the UK will have the most draconian and wide sweeping powers of all western jursdictions.
SFO to Investigate MG Rover
July 7, 2009 by Lewis Nedas
The SFO has just anounced that it will begin a criminal investigation after a recommendation from the long running Macgregor- Newey Inquiry into the collapse of MG Rover.
FSA to Recruit ‘Top Gun’ Commercial Lawyers
June 23, 2009 by Lewis Nedas
The FSA have announced in The Times (01.06.09) that they intend to recruit “top gun” City lawyers with commercial expertise to boost their enforcement division. They have recently focused upon organised insider dealing, an offence which is notoriously difficult to successfully prosecute.
If you are facing such an investigation you need a lawyer with years of hands on experience, not just as a result of defending these cases, but a lawyer who has worked for years in the City and who counts numerous City professionals as former colleagues and clients. You will need a “hands on” defence lawyer equally as familiar with both the Regulatory and Criminal prosecution process. Contact Jeffrey Lewis.
FSA Taking Hard Line on Regulatory Breaches
June 3, 2009 by Lewis Nedas
The Financial Services Authority are currently very active, whether investigating full blown criminal proceedings or regulatory breaches. For example, the sanctions against three Morgan Stanley traders in recent weeks for either dishonestly concealing losses or pre-hedging (a form of front running) (see The Times 27 May 2009).
Please refer to our section on Regulatory, Compliance and Professional Disciplinary Matters, and contact Jeffrey Lewis if you are facing any type of investigation by the FSA.
Police Commissioner to create National Fraud Intelligence Bureau?
June 3, 2009 by Lewis Nedas
The Times 26 May 2009 has reported that City of London Police Commissioner Mike Bowron has warned about the huge increase of fraud cases. He advocates the creation of a National Fraud Intelligence Bureau to collate information upon fraudulent activity.
If you are facing a fraud investigation or prosecution, you need to instruct experts with a grounded industrious approach who quietly achieve results – lawyers who put you, the client, first. Our team are all fully qualified and trained in the United Kingdom with a vast range of experience behind them.
Contact Jeffrey Lewis for further information.
IMTEC Fraudster Must Sell Home to Meet Confiscation Order
May 28, 2009 by Lewis Nedas
The Times 25 May 2009 reported that a convicted IMTEC fraudster is to repay £26 million and has had to put his £2.75 million home on the market in order to meet the confiscation order. If you are facing complex confiscation proceedings and are fearful that you may lose your family home, contact our Asset Restraint and Confiscation Department.
PM Backs New Strategy for Prosecution of Serious Crime
May 18, 2009 by Lewis Nedas
The Times on 12 May 2009 drew attention to the Prime Minister’s suggested overall of the prosecuting authorities’ approach to the prosecution of serious organised crime. He is advocating a new strategy focusing upon the business interests of alleged criminals, authorising the police to adopt a more aggressive approach to internet crime and these types of criminal businesses.
If you are concerned in any way about this and are being investigated and or prosecuted, contact Jeffrey Lewis or anyone in the MONEY LAUNDERING, ASSET RESTRAINT or SERIOUS CRIME departments.