Experts welcome clarification of corporate manslaughter rules
Commercial insurance
19th May 2010
The sentencing guidelines for corporate manslaughter trials have been clarified in a move welcomed by legal professionals.
In an article for the Solicitors Journal, Zahra Nanji explained that the new information highlighted the responsibilities for both employers and their staff with regards to health and safety.
According to the Leigh Day & Co Solicitors personal injury specialist, developments in the field "indicate that the courts are continuing to ensure that there is a balanced and reasonable approach" to regulation.
The new guidance has been published by the Sentencing Guidelines Council and relates to organisations charged with offences relating to the deaths of one or more people, something that may be of interest to liability insurance holders.
Entitled Corporate manslaughter and health and safety offences causing death, the document emphasises the need to assess aggravating and mitigating factors, in addition to outlining levels of monetary punishment and other measures, such as publicity and remedial orders.
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act came into force in April 2008.
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