What do you mean by a domestic lift? Is it in a dwelling?

There is no explicit legal requirement however the manufacture and supply of lifts come under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations.

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations require the lift to be safe and as entrapment by the door is a foreseeable risk there should be a safety mechanism to firstly prevent it from happening and secondly to stop further injury if it did occur. For example interlocking guard (doors have to be shut fully before the lift operates), sensors and emergency stops.

However these regulations came into force in 2002 and were amended in 2008. Before this the legislation was confusing and not as clear. There are a lot of old lifts in private domestic flats that present a risk of entrapment but they are not in breach of this legislation. However there is still a duty of care by the owners or persons or organisations in control of it.

That said a company has been prosecuted under section 3 of the Health and Safety at work Act in relation to a boy killed by an electrically powered gate.

what do u mean by domestic; as a lift in a private home used only by family members is domestic but a lift in a multi occupation building used by all tenants is not a domestic lift

Is this a newly installed lift, or not? There are certainly differences in the legal requirements for lifts for use in a single dwelling and those intended for use in connection with a business (which includes care homes, etc).
Have a look at http://www.hse.gov.uk/wo...y-new-products.htm#lifts