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11 September 2026 / Chris Roberts
Issue: 8176 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice , Fraud , Criminal , Whistleblowing , Technology
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Fraud reform meets reality

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© Getty images
Chris Roberts explores how three key proposals in Jonathan Fisher KC’s fraud report might work in practice
  • Discusses potential of three proposals made by Jonathan Fisher KC’s report, ‘Fraud in the digital age’, in July 2026: deferred prosecution for individuals, ring-fencing DPA proceeds for reinvestment in criminal justice, and financial rewards for whistleblowers.

Jonathan Fisher KC’s report, ‘Fraud in the digital age’, makes a significant number of proposals across a wide range of issues. With 47 recommendations, it covers everything from artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted disclosure to jury trials in complex fraud cases (see Jonathan Fisher KC’s article ‘Fraud in the digital age’, NLJ, 14 August 2026, p6).

Three proposals, however, catch the eye: a deferred prosecution mechanism for individuals; the ring-fencing of deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) proceeds for reinvestment into the criminal justice system; and a statutory scheme to reward whistleblowers financially.

As is probably reflective of all the 47 recommendations, each responds to a genuine problem but faces hurdles to being implemented.

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