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

26 September 2025

Issue: 8132 / Categories: Legal News , Fraud , Procedure & practice , Jurisdiction , International , Insolvency , Dispute resolution , Commercial

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.

Issue: 8132 / Categories: Legal News , Fraud , Procedure & practice , Jurisdiction , International , Insolvency , Dispute resolution , Commercial

Insights into shifting commercial fraud trends

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

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.

Issue: 8132 / Categories: , Legal News , Fraud , Procedure & practice , Jurisdiction , International , Insolvency , Dispute resolution , Commercial

Insights into shifting commercial fraud trends

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

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Red Lion Chambers—Maurice MacSweeney

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