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17 July 2008 / Andrew Keogh
Issue: 7330 / Categories: Features , Public
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Crime brief

NEW GENERAL CRIMINAL CONTRACT
PROSECUTION GUIDANCE

The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2008 (SI 2008/1586). This SI brings in to force on 14 July 2008 large parts of the 2008 Act (see NLJ, 13 June 2008).

The Extradition Act 2003 (Amendment to Designations) Order 2008 (SI 2008/1586). This order adds the United Arab Emirates as a Part 2 territory under the Extradition Act 2003.

CONTRACTING
A new general criminal contract came in to force on 14 July 2008. There are a large number of changes that suppliers need to take note of:

Financial disclosure: a new power to require production of financial records where the Legal Services Comission believes the business is at risk.

Duty to have an equality and diversity policy.

A tightening up of rules against inducements making clear that only refreshments or cigarettes for immediate consumption may be given to clients.

Rules requiring compliance with audits and the introduction of “mystery shopper” surveys.

A duty to keep complete files for a period

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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