Law, Morality and Regulation Victorian Experiences of Financial Crime

摘要: This paper examines Britain's experiences offinancial crimes during the second half of nineteenth century, but it focuses on actual processes criminalizing business activity which have been largely neglected by scholars. Through reference to three key criminal trials dating from 1850 1880, observations are made ways in Victorian concerns about translated into responses financial crime. In doing so, considers how directions taken these earliest proceedings can cast light understandings 'problem' The study fraud has fascinated scholars late twentieth century. many respects, its essence is difficult pin down, become a byword for dishonesty and associated rhetoric deceit seeking gain, discourses policy makers alike, also more popular lay While committed throughout socio-economic groupings across society (Levi 2002: 149; Karstedt Farrall 2004), this concerned with dis honesty occurs within 'area corporate malefaction' 149), circumstances under perpetrated most commonly attached alleged misappropriation assets or false representations them. be illustrated high-profile scandals such as Enron WorldCom, affairs disgraced media tycoon Conrad Black, examples pointing topicality global significance (see McBarnet issue). Equally, there much concern British legal circles ability justice system deal 'crimes commercial sphere' (Law Commis sion 1999). academic study, interest shown what proclaimed 'modern crime par excellence' 1987: 1) given rise body scholarship richly textured contributions numerous social science disciplines. Insight why might considered gleaned way which, actually, 'mistake view [fraud] new phenomena', account that 'frauds would substantial had they occurred today were carried out century' 1). because, notwithstanding, many, special risk arises combination base elements securing advantage causing loss (Kirk Woodcock 1997: economic conditions particularly so technological developments bring them not only scope invite types crime, 'can make old kinds freely available' 3).