This category is for the best journalism covering crime, courts and the law. The judges are looking for work which shows journalistic skill and rigour, is revelatory and which serves the public interest. For print/online entries, please provide up to three examples of work. Broadcasters can submit up to three clips or one entire programme in support of their entry. A supporting statement of up 500 words must also be included. Collaborative entries are accepted. Work should have been published between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 and aimed at a UK audience.
Crime and Legal Affairs Journalism

Linly Lin, Stefania Spezzati and Elisa Martinuzzi
Bloomberg News
- Millions in U.K. Covid Loans Went to Inactive or Brand-New Firms
- U.K. Financier’s Firm Aided by Covid Loans Is Ensnared in Probe
The judges said: “This was a blockbuster investigation into massive taxpayer funded fraud which the Government tried to keep secret.”
Crime and Legal Affairs Journalism winners from Bloomberg News pick up their award at the British Journalism Awards 2022. Picture: ASV Photography Ltd for Press Gazette

Liam Vaughan, Kit Chellel and Ben Bain
Bloomberg News
- The Essex Boys: How Nine Traders Hit a Gusher With Negative Oil
- The Day Oil Went Negative, These Unlikely Traders Made $660 Million
The judges said: “From Kuwait and Iraq to West Horndon, this entry exposed a colourful trail of skulduggery involving mid-boggling sums of money in a story that was expertly told.”
Liam Vaughan and Kit Chellel of Bloomberg News pick up the Crime and Legal Affairs Journalism prize at the British Journalism Awards 2021 from Jeremy Vine and investigative journalist and academic Paul Lashmar

Samantha Poling, Eamon T. O Connor, Shelley Jofre and Mona McAlinden
BBC Scotland
• Disclosure: Who killed Emma?
The judges said “huge journalistic skill” was involved in putting together Disclosure: Who killed Emma? which they said “forensically examines a police operation and puts prime suspects in front of the camera”. They added: “This investigation uncovered damning shortcomings in the police investigation and shed new light on an unsolved murder.”

Steve Swann, Thomas Mackintosh, Tom Symonds, Danny Shaw, Wesley Stephenson, Jodi Law and David Brown
BBC News
• Killed in 2019: The UK’s first 100 victims
Judges said: “The subject area is one that lends itself to stereotypical responses, like the idea that this was mainly people in their teens stabbing each other. This comprehensive data analysis paints a far more in-depth picture of what is happening.”