Last updated: September 2007
Corporate manslaughter
Over the past 20 years and following a number of serious accidents, there have been unsuccessful attempts to prosecute large corporations under the common law offence of gross negligence manslaughter.
The Government has been under pressure to introduce legislation to rectify what was seen by some as miscarriages of justice. Despite many technical difficulties and following years of debate, the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 received Royal Assent 26 July 2007.
The Adviser provides a brief overview of the law, the health and safety implications and the implications on insurance coverage.
Download the Adviser on Corporate manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (4 page, 91kb, pdf)
