header-logo header-logo

NLJ this week: Fraud claims climb as courts brace for AI threats

230743
Charlie Mercer and Astrid Gillam of Stewarts crunch the numbers on civil fraud claims in the English courts, in this week's NLJ. New data shows civil fraud claims rising steadily since 2014, with the King’s Bench Division overtaking the Commercial Court as the forum of choice for lower-value disputes

Banking and finance remain the most fraud-hit sector, with the Supreme Court’s Bilta ruling widening the scope for third-party liability in fraudulent trading.

International parties still flock to London, attracted by its robust process and remedies, though rival jurisdictions like Singapore and Dubai loom large.

Looking ahead, the new ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence under the Economic Crime Act 2023 will force big companies to tighten controls—or face liability. Meanwhile, AI and deepfake scams are already inflicting multimillion-pound losses, as shown by a £20m Hong Kong fraud at Arup. Mercer and Gillam warn that insolvency spikes could fuel yet more fraud litigation in the years ahead.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Womble Bond Dickinson—Paula Myers

Womble Bond Dickinson—Paula Myers

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints Paula Myers to private capital team in Leeds

mfg Solicitors—five promotions

mfg Solicitors—five promotions

Law firm mfg Solicitors announces five promotions at Birmingham office

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners adds six to partnership in record year for partner promotions

NEWS

Family set expands with the formal integration of 4 Brick Court into 42BR Barristers

The Court of Appeal has issued a stern warning to lawyers engaging in the practice of ‘privilege hunting’—obtaining an opponent’s legally privileged information through dishonest means
Legal executives have given a lukewarm reception to the Legal Services Board’s (LSB’s) final report from its regulatory review into Mazur advice and guidance
A homeless single parent offered accommodation in Derby has lost her Supreme Court appeal against the London council making the offer
The Kingdom of Bahrain does not enjoy sovereign immunity from allegations it used surveillance software to spy on dissidents in the UK, the Supreme Court has held
back-to-top-scroll