Disability Hate Crime - Proving Hostility in Practice for Prosecutors

Introduction

Disability hate crime continues to present significant challenges for prosecutors, particularly when assessing hostility, evidential sufficiency, and the distinction between aggravation and vulnerability based offending. This webinar provides a clear and practical guide to the statutory framework, including the definition of disability and the application of s66 Sentencing Act 2020.

The webinar will examine how hostility can be evidenced under both limbs, how to approach cases involving multiple offenders, and how to present aggravation effectively at court. You will gain practical tools for building stronger cases, securing appropriate sentencing uplifts, and supporting victims and witnesses through the prosecution process.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• How to apply the statutory definition of disability with confidence and identify when it is met in casework
• Determine when an offence is disability aggravated under s66 Sentencing Act 2020 and understand the evidential requirements
• Distinguish clearly between the demonstration and motivation limbs when assessing hostility
• Approach complex scenarios involving multiple offenders and evaluate individual hostility and culpability
• Present disability aggravation effectively at court and understand how sentencing uplifts are applied
• Support disabled victims and witnesses appropriately, ensuring accessibility and informed engagement throughout the prosecution process

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Wednesday 28th October 2026

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 2,400+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.