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

Weightmans—Jason Slatcher

Weightmans—Jason Slatcher

Weightmans appoint new Chief Technology Officer

Mishcon de Reya—trainees

Mishcon de Reya—trainees

Mishcon de Reya announces trainee retention rate of 86%

Sackers—Charlotte Adams & Fraser Sutton

Sackers—Charlotte Adams & Fraser Sutton

Sackers welcomes two new Graduate Solicitor Apprentices

NEWS
LexisNexis is delighted to announce the launch of the LexisNexis Legal Awards 2027, celebrating outstanding achievement, innovation and impact across the legal profession
The Legal Services Board (LSB) is to take further enforcement action against the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), setting additional performance targets and ‘intensifying’ its oversight, it has said
Regulators missed several opportunities to intervene in PM Law Group before it collapsed, an independent review by City firm Jenner & Block has found
An employer’s vicarious liability for the alleged torts of an employee cannot be transferred by TUPE, the Court of Appeal has confirmed
Tiered fees of up to £1,500 for Legal Ombudsman (LeO) cases could leave firms with little option but to pay out, lawyers have warned
back-to-top-scroll