John Binns Discusses Confiscation Law (Video)

The law around indecent images is evolving fast to keep up with artificial intelligence. Today’s AI tools can create incredibly realistic sexual images and videos, including of children, from scratch or by manipulating innocent photos. These “synthetic” indecent images raise urgent questions: is it illegal to make or possess them if no real child was physically harmed? What about AI “deepfakes” that put someone’s face into a sexual image?

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.

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.

As under the previous UK bribery laws, facilitation payments, i.e. small bribes to facilitate routine government action, remain illegal (unless the foreign official is permitted or required to be influenced by such payments under the written law applicable in the relevant country).

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.

If you or someone close to you is facing an allegation of murder, you are likely feeling overwhelmed, frightened and unsure what will happen next. Murder investigations move quickly, the consequences are severe, and the process can feel impenetrable to anyone unfamiliar with the criminal justice system. 

A CIFAS marker is a record placed by CIFAS, the UK's fraud prevention service, to alert financial institutions about potential fraud risks associated with an individual.

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.

Accumulating 12 or more penalty points on your driving licence typically triggers an automatic disqualification, but the law provides a potential avenue for relief through exceptional hardship arguments. Understanding how these sentencing guidelines work and what evidence the courts require can make the difference between keeping your licence and facing a driving ban that could profoundly impact your employment, family responsibilities and daily life.

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.

Partner John Binns and Principal Associate Alex Gorst examine significant developments in UK and international sanctions law, including new sectoral measures against Iran, proposed Israeli settlement sanctions, OFSI's £4.7 million Citibank penalty, and the US Treasury's intensified Operation Economic Outcast targeting Iranian networks.

The UK Government has codified the annual "Frozen Assets Review" under its sanctions regimes, through the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No 2) Regulations 2024 ("Amending Regulations").

It is a pernicious feature of sanctions laws that they affect far more people than they target.

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.

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.

BCL's latest sanctions round-up provides a comprehensive overview of recent UK and international developments in sanctions law, enforcement actions, and compliance requirements. This fortnightly summary examines new designations, licensing updates, and emerging trends that businesses and legal professionals need to monitor.

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

Welcome to BCL's sanctions fortnightly round-up, highlighting the notable developments in the UK and global sanctions implementation and enforcement.

BCL Solicitors' sanctions and export controls team provides comprehensive legal expertise on UK and international sanctions compliance, enforcement, and regulatory developments. Led by Partner John Binns and supported...