XN000022-1986-01-10 — Page 6

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10,

INN

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THE COMMITTEE, WITH ONE DISSENTIENT, TOOK THE VIEW THAT THE DEFENDANT'S RIGHT OF PEREMPTORY CHALLENGE OF JURORS IS NOT NEEDED AND SHOULD BE ABOLISHED IN FRAUD CASES. THE PROSECUTION'S RIGHT OF STAND BY FOR THE CROWN+ SHOULD ALSO BE REMOVED. EITHER SIDE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO CHALLENGE FOR CAUSE.

ONCE THE CASE PROPER BEGINS, THE COMMITTEE FAVOURS THE INCREASED USE OF WRITTEN SUMMARIES BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO THE JURY, AND VISUAL AIDS.

A CONSIDERABLE CHANGE IN THE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ING PRACTICES OF ALL CONCERNED WITH CRIMINAL FRAUD CASES - POLICE, LAWYERS, JUDGES AND COURT ADMINISTRATORS ALIKE – WOULD BE REQUIRED.

HOWEVER

THE COMMITTEE WELCOMES THE CLOSER COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE PROSECUTING AUTHORITIES WHICH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PERMANENT FRAUD INVESTIGATION GROUP HAS INITIATED.

IT THINKS THAT THE NEED FOR A NEW UNIFIED ORGANISATION RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE FUNCTIONS OF DETECTION, INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF SERIOUS FRAUD SHOULD BE EXAMINED FORTHWITH.

AN INDEPENDENT MONITORING BODY (THE +FRAUD COMMISSION+) SHOULD BE NOMINATED WHICH SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR STUDYING AND ADVISING FROM YEAR TO YEAR ON THE EFFICIENCY WITH WHICH FRAUD CASES ARE CONDUCTED.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

* THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO SET UP THE FRAUD

TRIALS COMMITTEE, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF LORD ROSKILL, WAS ANNOUNCED ON NOVEMBER 8, 1983, AND FOLLOWED GROWING CONCERN ABOUT THE PRÉSENT METHODS OF COMBATTING SERIOUS COMMERCIAL FRAUD. THE COMMITTEE - AN INDEPENDENT BODY SET UP JOINTLY BY THE LORD CHANCELLOR AND THE HOME SECRETARY - BEGAN WORK IN APRIL 1984.

ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE WERE: +TO CONSIDER IN WHAT WAYS THE CONDUCT OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

IN ENGLAND AND WALES ARISING FROM FRAUD CAN BE IMPROVED, AND TO CONSIDER WHAT CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW AND PROCEDURE WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO SECURE THE JUST, EXPEDITIOUS AND ECONOMICAL DISPOSAL OF SUCH PROCEEDINGS.+

* THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ARE LORD ROSK ILL

(CHA IRMAN), LORD BENSON, MR DAVID BUTLER,

J

SIR JAMES CRANE, JUDGE JOHN HAZAN, SIR ARTHUR KNIGHT, DR BARBARA MARSH AND MR WALTER MERRICKS.

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