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First Corporate Manslaughter Case to begin 26 February 2010

United Kingdom
25/02/2010
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The first prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007 (“the 2007 Act”) will begin Friday 26 February 2010. Cotswolds Geotechnical Holdings Limited (“Cotswolds”) has been charged under the 2007 Act for the death of Alexander Wright, a 27 year old geologist.

The prosecution was due to start on Tuesday 23 February however was adjourned until Friday for the selection of the jury.

Sole Director of Cotswolds, Peter Eaton, also faces a charge under the common law of manslaughter.

Mr Wright died taking soil samples in a trench which subsequently collapsed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The case will be viewed as a test-case for the new legislation, introduced to simplify the prosecution of Companies for work-place fatalities. Since the 2007 Act does not provide for prosecution of individuals (even Directors) any proceedings against such individuals must proceed under common law manslaughter or under the Health & Safety at Work Act.

Please click here to see our earlier Law Now on Corporate manslaughter: first ever prosecution under new law

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