Criminal Law webinars have been thoroughly researched with criminal law practitioners, ensuring they address your day to day concerns. This year we will examine the intricacies of handling sexual offences and human trafficking cases. Our March webinar will offer you an update on the sentencing guidelines and procedures in youth courts.
All our webinars are available either live (so you can take part in a Q & A session with the speakers) or on-demand for 12 months after the live broadcast. Even if you are in court or out of the office, you don’t have to miss out on these essential updates.
Forthcoming Webinars
Here is the schedule of forthcoming webinars for this practice area.
On Demand Webinars
Here is a list of previously broadcast webinars that are now available on demand.
21st Jun 2012 15:30
Corruption and the impact of the Bribery Act - how is it working in practice?
The Bribery Act 2010 came into force on 1 July 2011 but, to date, there has been only one prosecution under it. This has resulted in some practitioners questioning its significance. However, ignoring the new rules will prove dangerous. Under the new Act, the maximum penalty for individuals found guilty of bribery is 10 years of imprisonment and an unlimited fine. Both the SFO and the FSA have issued renewed warnings of their on going commitment to credible deterrence. With a major prosecution being only a question of time, now is the time to ensure that you are fully up-to-date with the new law.
o Compliance – the practicalities
o Guidance under the Bribery Act - practical problems
o Overview of current enforcement trends
- Investigations and settlement
- Role and approach of the SFO
o US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
6th Sep 2012 15:30
Funding and Legal Aid Reform- how to survive in the new environment?
The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act became law on 1st May 2012. Its impact is feared by many practitioners as it is estimated that it will cut criminal legal aid by 8%, jeopardising access to justice. Furthermore, the government is planning to issue a consultation on its proposals to introduce competitive tendering for criminal defence services. Many practitioners are concerned that this will result in a race to the bottom, with firms bidding at unsustainable levels to get work. It is argued that it may also lead to consolidation of the market, with many firms going out of business.
Our eminent speakers will debate the consequences of these reforms and discuss best strategies to survive in the new environment.
This webinar will cover:
• Legal Aid reform – where are we now?
• Competitive tendering
• Quality Assurance Scheme for advocates (QASA), including proposals for the Youth Court
• What does the future hold?
• Strategies for survival
23rd Oct 2012 15:30
Sentencing reform - where are we now?
Following a spate of highly publicised cases, the Sentencing Council has updated its guideline for the sentencing of dangerous dog owners. It came into effect on 20th August 2012. The new guidance encourages harsher sentences, with the suggested starting point for sentencing being 6 months in jail and, where appropriate, judges can consider sentencing owners for up to 18 months. If a dog is deliberately used to injure another person, the offender will be charged with assault.
With a rise in official figures for dangerous dogs offences, it is essential to remain up to date with this new guidance.
This webinar will cover:
• Update on the guidelines issued by the Sentencing Council
- Assault, burglary, drugs and dangerous dogs sentencing
• Offences taken into consideration and totality
• Forthcoming work
• Sentencing in defence of property cases
• Changes to indeterminate sentences
• Changes to provocation law
• Early guilty plea scheme
• Update on parole and release
27th Nov 2012 15:30
Criminal Procedure Rules Update
The importance of the Criminal Procedure Rules has been reinforced by the recent decision in R v SVS Solicitors. The court upheld a wasted costs order against a law firm, which failed to give reasons for opposing a hearsay notice as the defendant failed to give timely instructions. This case raises pertinent questions regarding where the duty of solicitors should lie. Under the CPR solicitors have a duty to ‘inform the court and all parties of any significant failure to take any procedural step required’. If solicitors do not comply with this rule, they risk breaching their duty to the court.
Our eminent speakers will discuss the significance of this case and update you on the latest amendments to the Criminal Procedure Rules.
This webinar will cover:
• Review of the latest amendments to Criminal Procedure Rules – what are the implications?
• Effect of Criminal Procedure Rules on the defence practitioner
• Prosecution access to defence witnesses
• Plea and case management hearings (PCMH) after Newell and R (Firth) v. Epping Magistrates’ Court
• Time limits on cross examination - Drinkwater v Solihull Magistrates
• Consequences of non compliance with procedural requirements - R v SVS Solicitors
31st Jan 2013 15:30
Latest developments in confiscation and asset recovery
The case of R vs Waya has re-stated the fundamental aim of confiscation proceedings as defined in the Proceeds of Crime Act. It is ‘to recover the financial benefit that the offender has obtained from his criminal conduct’.
Mr Waya purchased a flat in 2003 for £775,000 from a mortgage which was obtained fraudulently. In 2007 he was convicted of obtaining a money transfer by deception. The Judge made a confiscation order for £1.54 million based on the increased market value of the flat. In November 2012 the Supreme Court substituted a confiscation order for £392,000. This represented the benefit from the fraudulent mortgage consisting of the increase in the flat’s market value over its original price.
This case is seen by some as a move away from the draconian use of POCA in confiscation proceedings. Our eminent speakers will consider its implications.
This webinar will cover:
• Update on Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA)
• Definition of benefit including issues arising out of benefit from a business
• Civil Recovery Orders
• Orders at the request of overseas authorities
• Cash detention and forfeiture
• Case law update including R v Waya and R v Varma
5th Mar 2013 15:30
Update on hearsay, bad character and other difficult areas relating to evidence
The use of hearsay evidence in criminal proceedings remains controversial. In the recent case of Al Khawaja the European Court of Human Rights ruled that hearsay can be used to secure a conviction where no other evidence is available. Al Khawaja, a consultant physician, was charged with indecent assault on female patients allegedly under hypnosis. One of the complainants committed suicide before the trial but her statement to the police was accepted in court as evidence. This landmark decision avoided collision between UK Supreme Court and the judges in Strasbourg by ruling that the use of hearsay evidence does not necessarily breach Article 6 of the European convention of human rights, which guarantees the right to a fair trial.
This webinar will cover:
- Hearsay following Horncastle, Al Khawaja, Ibrahim and Riat
- Update on bad character
10th Apr 2013 15:30
Corruption and fraud
David Green QC, the new Director of the SFO has issued new guidance on self-reporting, facilitation payments and gifts and hospitality in the context of the Bribery Act 2010. The new approach restates that the SFO’s primary role is to investigate and prosecute serious fraud and corruption. This much tougher line indicates a change in the SFO’s approach from an earlier, more pragmatic, stance. It is seen by many as a wake-up call to businesses to ensure that they have adequate procedures in place.
Our eminent speakers will discuss the latest guidance and offer you practical tips to ensure that you do not fall foul of the law.
This webinar will cover:
• Bribery Act 2010
o Prosecution of subsidiaries
• SFO guidance on the Bribery Act/self reporting
• Fraud Act update
• Consultation on Deferred Prosecution Agreements – where are we now?
• HMRC criminal investigations
• Money laundering
2nd May 2013 15:30
Practice and procedure in youth courts
The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO), which came into force on 1 April 2013, made significant changes to youth sentencing. These amendments aim to reinforce the belief that the ‘purpose of the youth justice system is to prevent offending’. LASPO introduces greater flexibility for courts to decide on appropriate penalties. It widens the circumstances in which the courts can pass a referral order, allowing the courts to impose them on offenders who plead guilty even if this is not their first offence. It also extends the courts’ powers to deal with breaches of detention and training orders.
Our eminent speakers will discuss the practical implications of these changes to the sentencing of youth offenders.
This webinar will cover:
• LASPO changes
- Out of court disposals
- New offences
- Changes to bail and remand
• Grave crime procedure
• Sentencing guidelines for youth courts including new provisions
• Case law update
5th Jun 2013 15:30
Sexual offences
The Sentencing Council has recently closed a consultation on updating the sentencing guidelines for sexual offences. If implemented, the new guidelines will take full account of harm suffered by victims, including psychological and more long-term impact of the crimes. It also aims to reflect the changing nature of offences, due to increased usage of technology in offences involving indecent images of children, and the facilitation of sexual exploitation and grooming of children.
Our expert speakers will give you a full update on the latest proposals, and offer you practical tips for dealing with this highly sensitive area of law.
This webinar will cover:
• Refresher on Sexual Offences Act
• Sexual offences register – changes to notifications
• The use of sentencing guidelines in practice
• The purpose behind the consultation
• The decision to introduce new guidelines
