Government’s Fraud Review: Lisa McKinnon-Lower Featured in Solicitors Journal

Criminal Defence Litigation & Human Rights partner Lisa McKinnon-Lower has featured in the Solicitors Journal, providing expert commentary on the UK government’s Independent Review into Fraud and its far-reaching implications for the legal sector.

Led by Jonathan Fisher KC, Part 2 of the Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences comes at a pivotal time, with fraud now accounting for over 40% of all reported crimes in England and Wales. As Lisa explains, the review “marks a pivotal moment for the legal sector as it grapples with the complexities of digital-era crime.”

A key focus of the review is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to modernise the disclosure process. “Currently, the manual review of digital materials is resource-intensive,” Lisa noted, highlighting that “the Serious Fraud Office allocated 25% of its 2023 budget to disclosure obligations”. The review recommends AI tools to improve efficiency, reduce backlogs, and reallocate legal resources more effectively.

Lisa also underscores the importance of safeguards in implementing AI-driven processes. “It is of course important that AI-assisted processes must still include human oversight to ensure compliance with disclosure obligations and protect defendants’ rights.”

This development aligns closely with Lisa’s recent article, AI in Disclosure: Balancing Innovation with Legal Obligations, where, along with Nabeel Osman, she explores how legal frameworks must evolve responsibly alongside technology.

The review’s timing is also significant in light of the new ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence. Lisa added, “It highlights how important it is for corporates to give serious thought to the policies and procedures they should have in place to be compliant.”

Read the full Solicitors Journal article here: Government review addresses fraud offences urgently