Corporate criminal liability in England and Wales
This briefing discusses the circumstances in which corporates can commit crimes in England and Wales, setting out recent developments and proposals for reform.

The purpose of this Commons’ briefing paper is to consider in detail three BEIS consultations on insolvency and corporate governance.
Corporate Insolvency framework: proposed major reforms (925 KB , PDF)
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has consulted on new proposals aimed at improving the UK’s corporate governance and insolvency framework. The overriding aim being to ensure the highest standards of behaviour in those who lead and control companies in, or approaching, insolvency. The three separate consultations were as follows:
The March 2018 consultation was partly triggered by several high-profile business failures, including BHS Ltd and Carillion plc. For many stakeholders, the 2016 consultation was the UK Government’s response to the European consultation issued earlier in 2016, which eventually led to EU Preventive Restructuring Framework Directive 2019/1023. In both consultations, the government said that it was seeking views on how to ensure that UK insolvency regime retains its “world-leading status”, promotes business rescue and remains competitive post-Brexit.
On 26 August 2018, the government published its Response to the March 2018 consultation on “Insolvency and Corporate Governance” and the earlier 2016 review of the “Corporate Insolvency Framework”. The Response outlines the major reforms the government will be taking forward. Key proposals include:
In respect of the broader aspects of insolvency law outlined in the 2016 consultation, the specific reforms include:
Collectively, the proposed reforms will involve either legislative reform or further consultation. The timing is unclear; the government has said it intends to bring forward legislation to implement the measures as soon as parliamentary time permits.
This Commons briefing paper considers all three consultaions in detail and summarises those reforms the government has said it would be taking forward. It should be noted that corporate governance falls outside the scope of this insolvency paper. However, detailed information is provided in a separate Library briefing paper, “Corporate Governance Reform” (CBP8143).
Corporate Insolvency framework: proposed major reforms (925 KB , PDF)
This briefing discusses the circumstances in which corporates can commit crimes in England and Wales, setting out recent developments and proposals for reform.
An overview of the changes in trade rules between the UK and EU. It includes information and sources of advice regarding customs, imports and exports.
This note considers how much the UK contributes to the EU budget and how much it receives back. Potential payments to the EU on or after Brexit - such as the exit bill - are also discussed.