Controlling & Coercive Behaviour - 2022 Update

Introduction

This webinar discusses the offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship contrary to section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. The offence and its elements will be explained.

You will learn about the “behaviours” which the offence is said to address. Consideration will be had as to related offences and the issue of duplicity. The case of Chilvers will be examined which addresses the absence of need for a Brown direction. Discussion will be had as to the types of documentary and real evidence one would expect to encounter in these cases.

That knowledge will help to inform disclosure requests and regard will be had to the case of R v BJ. The definitive sentencing guidelines for the offence will be addressed and the webinar will conclude with a review of sentencing authorities and ancillary orders.

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:

• Introduction to the offence
• Elements of the offence
• Discussion as to what ‘behaviours the offence is designed to cover
• Scrutinising whether the alleged behaviour comes under s.76(4)(a) or (b)
• 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 webinar was recorded on 4th May 2022