“Plans which could see criminals’ sentences cut by up to a half if they plead guilty quickly have been attacked as putting ‘efficiency over justice’.”
BBC News, 10th April 2011
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“White-collar criminals sentenced to a year or less in jail should have their sentences suspended if they cooperate fully with related fraud investigations, the Court of Appeal ruled last week.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 20th May 2010
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“A senior judge today criticised the Serious Fraud Office for striking plea bargains which let off corrupt companies too lightly.”
The Guardian, 26th March 2010
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Hundreds of convictions gained in rape cases are actually for lesser offences, official figures reveal.”
The Guardian, 20th March 2010
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Regina v Whittle; Regina v Allison; Regina v Brammar
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
“Minimum sentences agreed by United Kingdom employees admitting cartel offences in a plea agreement with the United States authorities and substituted on appeal were not to be treated as guidelines.”
The Times, 27th November 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.
“A report setting out proposals for the introduction of plea-bargaining in UK fraud trials has been delayed until at least the end of the year.”
Legal Week, 23rd October 2008
Source: www.legalweek.com
McKinnon v Government of the United States of America
House of Lords
“A plea bargain offered by a foreign prosecutor to an accused person whose extradition was sought, particularly if offered during a regulated process of plea-bargaining, did not constitute an abuse of process unless it was so extreme as to amount to a threat of unlawful action which imperilled the integrity of the extradition process.”
The Times, 6th August 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.
McKinnon v Government of the United States of America [2008] UKHL 59; [2008] WLR (D) 266
“A foreign prosecuting authority’s plea bargain offer to an accused person whose extradition was sought, did not constitute an abuse of process unless the predicted consequences of refusing the offer were so extreme as to amount to a threat of unlawful action which imperilled the integrity of the extradition process.”
WLR Daily, 30th July 2008
Source: www.lawreports.co.uk
Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.
“The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is poised to launch a consultation about bringing in a US-style plea bargaining system for UK companies involved in corruption cases.”
Legal Week, 10th July 2008
Source: www.legalweek.com
“British companies will be able to admit bribery offences in return for more lenient sentences under a plea bargain-style system to be put forward by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) this week.”
The Times, 6th July 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
” The three former NatWest bankers sentenced to 37 months imprisonment for fraud offences relating to the collapse of Enron will all be behind bars in the US tomorrow after the last of the trio reports to a Californian jail.”
The Guardian, 8th May 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“A senior QC is leading a group looking into how such cases can be brought to court more successfully. Martin Waller reports.”
The Times, 6th May 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, has announced a consultation set to examine how a framework for plea negotiations in fraud trials might work in England and Wales.”
Attorney General’s Office, 3rd April 2008
Source: www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk
“Fraudsters could win lower sentences if they admit their crimes under proposals outlined yesterday for the first formal ‘plea bargaining’ system in the criminal courts.”
The Times, 4th April 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“Lawyers are debating the benefits of introducing US-style plea bargaining in UK fraud cases following the guilty pleas of three former NatWest bankers last week.”
Legal Week, 6th December 2007
Source: www.legalweek.com
“A deal under which the NatWest Three could secure a plea bargain deal with American prosecutors is likely within two weeks, insiders believe.”
The Sunday Times, 28th October 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
