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Last Updated: Tuesday, 5 July 2005, 11:47 GMT 12:47 UK
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Fraud Bill
AIM
This bill will simplify the law and seek to bring under control the length and complexity of trials.

MAIN PROVISIONS
BILL'S PROGRESS
Responsible department: Home Office
Origin: House of Lords
Introduced: 25 May 2005
Second reading: 22 June 2005
Committee stage: 19 July 2005 & 31 Jan 2006
Report stage: 14 March 2006
Third reading: 29 March 2006
COMMONS:
First reading: 29 March 2006
Second reading: 12 June 2006
Remaining stages: 26 October 2006

ROYAL ASSENT: 8 November 2006
  • Prosecutions will be eased by focusing on intentions to commit fraud, rather than outcomes
  • More cases may be heard by judges as opposed to juries
  • Improves prosecutions by providing clear definitions of fraud
  • Simplifies fraud law making it easier for juries and the general public to comprehend
  • Reduces the risk of cases being lost through technical points
  • Abolishes all the deception offences under the Theft Acts 1968-1996

    BACKGROUND
    There is currently no criminal offence called fraud. Instead, offenders can be prosecuted under eight offences of deception under the Theft Act or the common law offence of conspiracy to defraud.

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    • BBC PARLIAMENT

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    BILL TRACKER
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    Criminal Justice Bill
    Crossrail Bill
    Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill
    Exchanges and Clearing Houses Bill
    Fraud (Trials Without a Jury) Bill
    Further Education Bill
    Greater London Authority Bill
    Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill
    Legal Services Bill
    Local Government Bill
    Mental Health Bill
    Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill
    Offender Management Bill
    Organised Crime Bill
    Pensions Bill
    Statistics and Registration Service Bill
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    Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill
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    RELATED INTERNET LINKS
    The Fraud Bill
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