Home / Status glossary Presumption of innocence Meaning A person charged is presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law 1 Used by Council of Europe states under the ECHR 1 2
Process type Criminal Source European Convention on Human Rights, Article 6(2) 1 Public reference to guilt Meaning Authorities must not refer to a suspect as guilty in public before guilt is proved 2 Used by EU member state authorities 2
Process type Criminal Source Directive (EU) 2016/343, Article 4 2 Realistic prospect of conviction Meaning A court is more likely than not to convict, the evidential test for a charge 3 Used by Crown Prosecution Service, England and Wales 3
Process type Criminal Source Code for Crown Prosecutors 3 Threshold Test Meaning A charging test for limited cases, based on reasonable grounds to suspect and other conditions 3 Used by Crown Prosecution Service 3
Process type Criminal Source Code for Crown Prosecutors 3 Indictment Meaning A grand jury charge required for capital or otherwise infamous federal crimes 4 Used by US federal courts 4
Process type Criminal Source US Constitution, Fifth Amendment 4 Beyond a reasonable doubt Meaning The proof needed for a criminal conviction on every fact of the crime 5
Process type Criminal Source In re Winship, 1970 5 Balance of probabilities Meaning The fact in issue more probably occurred than not 6 Used by UK civil courts 6 10
Process type Civil and standards Source In Re B (Children), 2008 6 Warning notice Meaning Notice of proposed action, not the FCA's final decision 7 Used by Financial Conduct Authority, UK 7
Process type Regulatory Source FCA Enforcement page 7 Decision notice Meaning Issued and published when the FCA decides to take action 7 Used by Financial Conduct Authority, UK 7
Process type Regulatory Source FCA Enforcement page 7 Final notice Meaning Issued when the FCA takes action 7 Used by Financial Conduct Authority, UK 7
Process type Regulatory Source FCA Enforcement page 7 FCA settlement Meaning A regulatory decision taken by the FCA and accepted by the subject, not a commercial deal 8 Used by Financial Conduct Authority, UK 8
Process type Regulatory Source FCA, Settlement in enforcement cases 8 Written statement in an investigation Meaning A person in an SEC investigation may submit a statement of position before staff recommend a case 9 Used by US Securities and Exchange Commission 9
Process type Regulatory No-deny provision Meaning A settlement term barring public denial of SEC allegations, rescinded on 18 May 2026 11 Used by US Securities and Exchange Commission, historical 11
Process type Regulatory Source SEC release 2026-45 11 Closed without action Meaning An inquiry ended without an enforcement case 12 Used by US Securities and Exchange Commission 12
Process type Regulatory Source SEC fiscal year 2025 results 12 Rectification Meaning A breach is found and the Member agrees to remedial action, including an apology 10 Used by House of Commons Commissioner for Standards 10
Process type Civil and standards Source Procedural Protocol 10 No breach Meaning The evidence does not show a breach on the balance of probabilities 10 Used by House of Commons Commissioner for Standards 10
Process type Civil and standards Source Procedural Protocol 10 Misconduct found Meaning An investigation concluded that the person breached the applicable standards 13 Used by Commissioner for Standards in Public Life, Malta 13
Process type Civil and standards Source Annual Report 2025 13 Upheld Meaning The ombudsman agreed with the complaint, counted in the uphold rate 14 Used by Financial Ombudsman Service, UK 14
Process type Ombudsman Source Annual complaints data 2025/26 14 Maladministration Meaning A finding that leads the European Ombudsman to make recommendations 15 Used by European Ombudsman 15
Process type Ombudsman Solution Meaning A fix the European Ombudsman proposes, settling the matter if the EU body accepts it 15 Used by European Ombudsman 15
Process type Ombudsman Active proceedings Meaning Criminal cases from arrest, warrant, summons or charge until the case ends 16 Used by Courts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland 16
Process type Reporting Source Contempt of Court Act 1981, Schedule 1 16 Discontinued Meaning Proceedings end when the charge or summons is withdrawn or a nolle prosequi is entered 16 Used by Courts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland 16
Process type Criminal Source Contempt of Court Act 1981, Schedule 1 16 Lie on the file Meaning A charge not pursued, which can be revived with leave of the court 16 Used by Courts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland 16
Process type Criminal Source Contempt of Court Act 1981, Schedule 1 16 Nothing matches. Clear the search or pick another filter.
Notes The Malta meaning of misconduct found is a summary of the report's category name 13 13 Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@allegationindex.org .
