header-logo header-logo

First criminal money-laundering prosecution under the Money Laundering Regulations

14 October 2021
Issue: 7952 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
printer mail-detail
NatWest (National Westminster Bank Plc) has pled guilty to money-laundering breaches, in the first criminal prosecution under the Money Laundering Regulations 2007

The bank entered guilty pleas at Westminster Magistrate’s Court last week, accepting that it failed to comply with the regs in relation to a UK incorporated customer between 7 November 2013 and 23 June 2016, and between 8 November 2012 and 23 June 2016. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) brought the prosecution.

The case has been referred to Southwark Crown Court for sentencing. No individuals are being charged.

Top of Form

Claire Cross, partner at Corker Binning, said: ‘The fact that the FCA chose such a large organisation as its first prosecution target confirms what was already known about its intentions to step up activity in this area.

‘The FCA’s counsel has already given an indicative fine of £340m. If she is correct then the sum will far outstrip the previous regulatory fines of £38m for Commerzbank, £102m for Standard Chartered and £163m for DeutscheBank.’

Issue: 7952 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll