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The English and Welsh legal systems could be radically overhauled to incorporate a form of plea bargaining in fraud cases, according to a senior QC investigating the issue on behalf of the government.
Defendants could receive a lower sentence if they admit their guilt under the proposals, which are currently in a consultation process due to be completed on July 3rd.
Stephen Hockman QC, head of the working group, claimed the changes would bring about significant improvements in the judicial process.
He told the Times: "It should increase the number of cases that can be brought successfully. Above all, I think it will make investigation and trial of fraud cases more efficient."
Mr Hockman insisted the plans would strengthen the existing fraud system because judges could still reject the sentencing framework agreed by the prosecution and defendant.
The proposals could come into force this autumn after they were given extra impetus by the case of the NatWest Three, who were jailed in America earlier this year for their role in the collapse of Enron.
