*/
Fraud cases should be heard by a single combined court with a judge who deals with the civil and criminal aspects, a former senior prosecutor suggested.
In a speech, Economic crime: a new one-stop shop, Alison Levitt QC, now a partner at law firm Mishcon de Reya, told the Cambridge Economic Crime Symposium in September that there needed to be a ‘totally new legal approach’ to economic crime with a new branch of the court system – the Combined Fraud Court – to deal with it.
The one-stop shop, she said, would combine the civil and criminal systems in a single trial, so it would be quicker and cheaper, and mean victims only giving evidence once.
A specially qualified fraud judge would hear a single trial, using aspects of civil and criminal law, Levitt explained.
At the end of the trial, the judge would ask whether the jury is satisfied to the criminal standard that the defendant is guilty.
If so, the judge would go on to deal with sentencing, assessing and awarding damages, confiscating assets which represent the proceeds of the defendant’s crimes, and awarding costs.
If the jury is not sure of guilt, they are dismissed and the judge reverts to the civil procedure to determine the issue on the balance of probabilities.
Fraud cases should be heard by a single combined court with a judge who deals with the civil and criminal aspects, a former senior prosecutor suggested.
In a speech, Economic crime: a new one-stop shop, Alison Levitt QC, now a partner at law firm Mishcon de Reya, told the Cambridge Economic Crime Symposium in September that there needed to be a ‘totally new legal approach’ to economic crime with a new branch of the court system – the Combined Fraud Court – to deal with it.
The one-stop shop, she said, would combine the civil and criminal systems in a single trial, so it would be quicker and cheaper, and mean victims only giving evidence once.
A specially qualified fraud judge would hear a single trial, using aspects of civil and criminal law, Levitt explained.
At the end of the trial, the judge would ask whether the jury is satisfied to the criminal standard that the defendant is guilty.
If so, the judge would go on to deal with sentencing, assessing and awarding damages, confiscating assets which represent the proceeds of the defendant’s crimes, and awarding costs.
If the jury is not sure of guilt, they are dismissed and the judge reverts to the civil procedure to determine the issue on the balance of probabilities.
Now is the time to tackle inappropriate behaviour at the Bar as well as extend our reach and collaboration with organisations and individuals at home and abroad
To mark International Women’s Day, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management looks at how financial planning can help bridge the gap
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs answers some of the most common questions regarding relationship DNA testing for court
Leading drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs has made a £500 donation to Beatson Cancer Charity in Glasgow as part of its Giving Back campaign
Girls Human Rights Festival 2025: a global gathering for change
Exclusive Q&A with Henry Dannell
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
Patrick Green KC talks about the landmark Post Office Group litigation and his driving principles for life and practice. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Desiree Artesi meets Malcolm Bishop KC, the Lord Chief Justice of Tonga, who talks about his new role in the South Pacific and reflects on his career
Sir Nicholas Mostyn, former High Court judge, on starting a hit podcast with fellow ‘Parkies’ after the shock of his diagnosis
Exclusive QA with Henry Dannell