Corporate Manslaughter
“Specialises in contentious matters on behalf of clients, with a particular focus on fatal accident cases and corporate liability matters.”
Chambers UK
We regularly advise organisations, directors and employees in the related areas of corporate manslaughter, health and safety, food safety, product safety and fire safety, with particular expertise in fatal accidents and major disasters. Our specialist lawyers have a long track-record of successfully defending allegations of corporate and gross negligence manslaughter.
The firm’s criminal and regulatory pedigree and focus on contentious regulatory and criminal matters (i.e. investigations, prosecutions and associated proceedings such as inquests and inquiries) sets it apart from its competitors. Our unrivalled experience and expertise in responding to Police and regulator led investigations, combined with our commercial awareness, ensures that our clients receive expert advice to achieve the best possible resolution with the minimum of business interruption.
We are ranked for our regulatory expertise in the legal directories, including Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. We are included in GIR’s list of the world’s leading investigations firms and named as the leading firm in the ‘Financial Crime & Fraud & Regulatory’ category of The Times Best Law Firms 2021.
Expertise
We provide specialist advice and representation to organisations and directors in areas such as:
- Crisis management.
- Responding to a police/regulator corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter investigations following workplace deaths and other fatal accidents.
- Regulators’ powers, including arrest, search warrants and compelled requests for documentation and witness interviews.
- Legally privileged internal investigations.
- Requests to attend PACE interviews under caution.
- Defending prosecutions in the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court.
- Representation at Coroners’ inquests and inquiries.
Case Studies:
Advising a global steel producer regarding a joint Police and HSE corporate manslaughter and health and safety investigation following a double fatality caused by a major explosion at a steelworks.
Advising a facilities management and support services company in relation to a joint fatal accident investigation by the British Transport Police and the Office of Rail and Road.
Advising a construction company regarding a joint Police and HSE investigation into corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter and alleged breaches of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
Advising an early years childcare provider following a fatal incident and carrying out a comprehensive internal investigation.
Advising a design and building management company in relation to a student’s fatal accident on school premises.
Advising an animal by-products company in relation to a fatal accident investigation and prosecution.
Related Services
Coroner’s Inquests
A Coroner’s Inquest may be the only opportunity for the family of the deceased to discover how the death occurred. In addition, an Inquest’s findings often shape the nature of any subsequent investigation or prosecution…
Internal Investigations
BCL conducts internal investigations on behalf of corporates and other organisations concerned about potential criminal or regulatory breaches…
Health & Safety
BCL regularly advises organisations, directors and employees in the related areas of corporate manslaughter, health and safety, fire safety, and the environment, with particular expertise in fatal accidents and major disasters…