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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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NEWS
A High Court decision has clarified that a home may be unfit for human habitation not only where conditions endanger health or safety, but also where they seriously undermine comfort and convenience

A longer time limit for employment tribunal claims, new charity law thresholds, property tribunal recruitment and appellate guidance on small-claims costs feature in the latest Civil Way round-up

A recent High Court ruling could make issue estoppel considerably more complex in cross-border litigation, requiring parties to consider the foreign law governing the underlying claim
The Supreme Court has overturned Cheshire West’s bright-line test for deprivation of liberty, replacing it with a broader, more contextual assessment that gives greater weight to an individual’s wishes, feelings and apparent consent
Jonathan Fisher KC’s wide-ranging fraud report contains worthwhile proposals, but turning them into workable reform will require money, capacity and political will
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