Month: November 2016

2.11.16

Reality strikes for the Fake Sheikh

Alistair Parker, solicitor at Brett Wilson LLP, considers the fallout from the recent conviction of Mazher Mahmood. Commentators are not exactly lining up to describe the demise of Mazher Mahmood as that of a fearless undercover journalist who had one brief lapse of integrity. In fact, there are precious few minimising or mitigating at all….

New Charging Guidelines published for ‘social media communication’ offences

The Crown Prosecution Service has published new guidelines on when social media communications might constitute criminal offences in an attempt to provide clear advice to the Police and prosecutors and to have consistency before the courts. A copy of the guidelines can be found here. Is it in the public interest? In order to send out…

Suspicious Activity Reports: moratorium period to be extended to six months

On 13 October 2016, the Criminal Finances Bill 2016-17 was put before the House of Commons for the first reading.  The Bill proposes to update the legislative measures regarding proceeds of crime, with the overall aim being effective recovery, countering terrorist financing and tackling money laundering and corruption.  In respect of money laundering, one of…

Norwich Pharmacal Order against police refused

In the case of The Right Honourable The Countess of Caledon v The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and another [2016] EWHC 2214 (QB), the Applicant, the Rt Hon the Countess of Caledon, failed to satisfy both stages of the test to obtain a Norwich Pharmacal Order (‘NPO’) against the Commissioner of Police for…