First Corporate Manslaughter Case To Go To Court

Wednesday, 2. September 2009

Corporate Manslaughter has now become real with the announcement that the first trial, as a result of charges under the Corporate Manslaughter Act, will take place next February and should serve as a wake up call to businesses that think it could never happen to them. Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings have been charged for breaches of the Act along with breach of section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act following the death of junior geologist, Alexander Wright on 5^th September 2008. Wright was collecting soil samples in an excavated pit when the pit collapsed. Along wth the company, one of the directors, Peter Eaton, has been charged with common law manslaughter and an offence under section 37 of the Health & Safety at Work Act following his alleged consent and neglect as a director. A not guilty plea is expected to be entered with the trial scheduled to last up to 6 weeks. The outcome could have dire effects on companies and their directors. By Graham Hill