7: Criminal law and tort Flashcards
What is the basic definition of what criminal law is concerned against?
Criminal law is concerned against actions that are so serious that they are regarded as a wrongdoing against the state
For a person to be guilly of a criminal offence, there must be two essential elements:
- The prohibited act (Actus reus)
- The guilty state of mind of the person (Mens rea)
does there always need to be an actus reus and mens rea?
No, not for Strict Liability Offenses
For most criminal offenses, both elements are essential but in Strict liability offenses, they remove the requirement of mens rea
example of strict liability offence = speeding
Which essential element is only required during a strict liability offense?
Actus reus only.
Who is respoonsible for bringing criminal proceedings to individuals? (CPS)
Crown prosectution service
What two courts are there in the crown prosecution service?
magistrates court and crown court
What are the mens rea of theft? (2)
dishonesty and an intention to permanenetly deprive one of their property
what is money laundering
converting proceeds of a crime into a different asset that appears to have a legitimate origin
If a tax practitioner has evidence or reasonable grounds that their client is money laundering, and the information has come through a regulated activity, what must they do?
Report this to the National Crime Agency, generally through their firm’s MLRO (Money Laundering Reporting Officer)
Failure to disclose a money laundering offence is a…?
Criminal offence
‘There is no de minimus limit’ - what does this mean for criminal offences?
The tax practitioner should report all suspicions and knowledge of criminal activity, regardless of the level of crime or proceeds
When is it that the individual will not be guilty of a money laundering crime? (2)
If the employee has not been given money laundering training, said during legal privileged conversations
What do the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 require firms to do? (9)
- Firmwide AML risk assessment
- MLCP (compliance principal)
- Screen new and existing employees
- Independent audit function
- Client DD
- Identify beneficial owner and person representative
- Enhanced DD
- Monitor firm compliance with regulations
- Monitor client relationship
If information has been given out under legal professional privilege, is this an reasonable excuse for why a tax practitioner has failed to disclose?
Yes
If a report has not been made because the proceeds are only £200, is this acceptable?
No. There is no de minimus limit so all suspicions or knowledge of ML should be reported, regardless of level of crime or proceeds