Controlling & Coercive Behaviour - Where Are We Now?

Introduction

Join this expert led webinar on the offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship which is contrary to section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. Learn about the offense and all its elements, including the changes brought into effect after 5th April 2023.

You will learn about the behaviours which the offence is said to address. The webinar will consider how to draft indictments appropriately, related offences and the issue of duplicity. The case of Chilvers will be examined which addresses the absence of need for a Brown direction.

The types of documentary and real evidence one would expect to encounter in these cases will be discussed, in particular looking at the case of R v BJ, helping to inform disclosure requests. The definitive sentencing guidelines for the offence will be addressed and the webinar will conclude with a review of sentencing authorities and ancillary orders.

There will be discussion as to practically dealing with the offence at court and how the courts have approached it. The webinar will refer to the Home Office review of March 2021 into the offence interspersing its findings within the webinar content.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• Brief refresher on the offence
• Elements of the offence - including changes post 5th April 2023
• Discussion as to what behaviours the offence is designed to cover
• Scrutinising whether the “serious effect” comes under s.76(4)(a) or (b)
• Drafting of indictment and related offences
• Chilvers - No need for a Brown direction
• Documentary and other real evidence relevant to the offence
• Disclosure requests in the context of the offence and consideration of R v BJ
• Sentencing guidelines and authorities
• Ancillary orders

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Monday 28th April 2025

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 1,700+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.