John Binns Discusses Confiscation Law (Video)

If you are under investigation following a fatal road collision, you could face prosecution for either causing death by careless driving or causing death by dangerous driving. Understanding the key distinction between these serious motoring offences—whether the driving falls below or far below the standard of a careful and competent driver—is crucial, as it significantly affects the charge and potential sentence. With causing death by dangerous driving carrying a maximum sentence of life impriso

When police issue a Section 172 notice requiring you to identify who was driving your vehicle during an alleged traffic offence, failing to respond correctly can result in six penalty points, unlimited fines and possible disqualification. Understanding your legal obligations, available defences and the consequences of non-compliance is essential to protecting your driving licence and avoiding a criminal conviction.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has issued a landmark warning that adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse are being systematically failed by mental health services, experiencing misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and re-traumatisation. This acknowledgment raises critical questions about institutional accountability, the long-term impact of abuse, and survivors' rights to compensation and justice.

Being accused of possessing indecent images can be overwhelming and distressing. In many cases, individuals have never been in trouble before and are shocked to find themselves under investigation. It is important to understand that every case turns on its own facts. The law in this area is complex, particularly because it involves digital evidence, and there are a number of potential defences that may arise depending on the circumstances.

Magistrates' Courts follow structured sentencing guidelines when determining penalties for drink driving offences, with alcohol readings establishing initial categories that are then adjusted based on aggravating factors, mitigating circumstances, previous convictions and guilty plea credit. The court must balance consistency with individual case circumstances when deciding between fines, community orders, custodial sentences and the length of driving bans, while also considering special reasons arguments a

A plain-English guide for parents in England and Wales. This is general information, not legal advice on any individual case.

Domestic violence bail conditions can be far-reaching. If you are released on bail during a domestic abuse investigation, you may be required to leave your own home, to stay away from a partner or family member, and to limit contact with your children, all before any decision to charge has been made. These conditions can be challenged, and getting early advice on them matters, because they can remain in place for a long time while an investigation continues.

In August 2025, the Law Commission of England and Wales announced a comprehensive review of homicide law, covering murder and manslaughter. The review began with a call for evidence, which closed in Autumn 2025. We examined the review at that stage in Law Commission’s Review of the Law of Homicide and again in April 2026 in Homicide Review.

When you hit a parked car without realising it, you may still face prosecution under UK law even if you were unaware of the incident. Understanding your legal obligations to stop, leave details, and report the collision is essential to avoid serious penalties including penalty points, unlimited fines, and potential imprisonment.

Understanding how to respond to a Section 172 notice is crucial for anyone involved in an alleged road traffic offence. This comprehensive guide explains the legal requirements for identifying the driver, the information you must provide, and the serious consequences of failing to comply correctly. Learn what steps to take if you cannot identify who was driving and when you should seek legal advice to protect your position.

BCL Solicitors provides comprehensive coverage of UK and international sanctions developments, offering expert analysis on enforcement actions, regulatory changes, and compliance challenges.

Welcome to BCL’s latest sanctions round-up, highlighting the key developments in UK and international sanctions

Welcome to BCL’s latest sanctions and export controls round-up, highlighting the key developments in UK and international sanctions

The UK government has significantly expanded its sanctions framework targeting Russia, introducing measures against individuals and entities involved in military supply chains, energy sectors, cryptocurrency networks, and alleged human rights violations. These developments reflect an evolving enforcement landscape with new powers, increased scrutiny of sanctions evasion, and landmark legal clarifications affecting businesses operating in sanctioned jurisdictions.

Understanding how HMRC calculates penalties under Schedule 24 is crucial for taxpayers facing investigations. The penalty framework considers the taxpayer's behavior and level of culpability, ranging from innocent mistakes to deliberate concealment, with significantly different financial consequences at each level.

This comprehensive round-up examines the latest developments in UK, EU, and US sanctions and export controls, covering new designations, enforcement actions, regulatory updates, and compliance guidance across multiple sanctions regimes including Russia, Iran, and global human rights measures.

BCL Solicitors' cyber security experts provide insights on major technology incidents and data protection concerns, including the global Microsoft-CrowdStrike outage, biometric payment systems in retail, and the UK government's proposed ransomware payment ban. Partner Julian Hayes offers legal perspectives on these emerging cybersecurity challenges affecting businesses and consumers.

BCL Partners Richard Reichman and John Binns have contributed to LexisNexis, examining the implications of section 250 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 and whether the expansion of corporate criminal liability is likely to have the transformative effect many anticipate.

BCL Solicitors' partners have earned recognition as leading lawyers in criminal investigations, while the firm's experts analyze high-profile cases and systemic reforms shaping the UK criminal justice system.

The UK government has introduced significant changes to its sanctions framework, including new powers to target criminal networks, expanded enforcement capabilities...