A new group promoting the use of private prosecutions has been launched in the UK. The Private Prosecutors' Association (PPA) aims to develop best practice and raise public awareness of the use of private prosecutions. With private prosecutions growing, due to budget and resource constraints faced by the police, prosecution and enforcement agencies, the number of such prosecutions looks set to increase.

Industry forum

Chaired by Peters & Peters partner Hannah Laming partner, the organisation aims to become a forum for the industry as well as lobby on matters impacting private prosecutors. Other objectives of the group include identifying lacunae and limitations relevant to private prosecutions in the existing legal framework and advocating for additional rights and powers. The group was also interested in identifying opportunities where private prosecutors can work in association with public law enforcement agencies to provide additional or broader services to complainants. 

Counterfeiting

A number of luxury companies have used private prosecutions against counterfeiters, Lewis Silkin partner Adam Glass recently said at the Luxury Law Summit. He viewed it as a useful strategy but one which needed to be used carefully.