Procedures for tightening control of the case management of ‘heavy’ fraud and money laundering cases in London have been agreed by the Presiding Judges for the South Eastern Circuit with the concurrence of the Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales.
From 1 June, cases that are exclusively about fraud or money laundering, and estimated by the Crown to last six weeks or more will be committed or sent the Crown Court sitting at Southwark, as the London Receiving Court for ‘Heavy Fraud’ cases, under a new practice direction.
Such cases will be dealt with by Magistrates or at the Crown Court in accordance with the Directions for Committals by Magistrates for the Sending of cases to the Crown Court at Southwark.
The direction will not apply to “non-exclusive” cases, for example those with a combination of drugs and money laundering related offences.
The new practice direction applies only to cases committed or transferred by the London Magistrates Courts to London Crown Court centres or ‘Sent’ to London Crown Court centres in accordance with the provisions of Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, or any equivalent provisions.
The practice direction is available on the judicial website.
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