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Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
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Posted By artisdeeian
Hello everyone.
Has anyone considered, or actually taken on a personal liability insurance against the above act which as you know comes into force April 2008.
Ian.
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Posted By Stephen D. Clarke
Hi,
My understanding is that the fines following successful prosecution will be very high e.g. 10% of turnover in line with fines for financial irregularities. But I don't think you can insure against criminal action in fact isn't it illegal. However individual senior managers may well be advised to check they are covered in case they are taken to court for a S37 or gross negligence manslaughter offence as these are predicted to be more likely now. I think Gillian Beckingham at Barrow-in-Furness had to find the necessary funds for her individual defense.
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Posted By artisdeeian
Hi Stephen.
Sorry, yes it is illegal, I was really looking to see if it is a good option to insure against fines, but as you say 10% of the company turnover could be a hefty one. Making the premiums very high to begin with. But I can see this being a good one for the insurers to be rubbing their hands"
Ian.
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Posted By Jay Joshi
An individual person in "personal capacity" cannot be charged and tried under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.
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Posted By CFT
Agree in part with Steven and in total with Jay, it would defeat the whole point of the Act if a body corporate were able to insure against a potential fine.
CFT
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Posted By garyh
You can't insure against fines for criminal cases.
However my understanding is that in the event of a civil case then you would likely be covered by professional indemnity insurance (if you have it!)
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Stephen D. Clarke
Hi,
I know the new act only applies to organisations but I have been advised that after the act comes into force in april it is likely that there will be more prosecutions of senior managers under HSWA S37 and for gross negligence manslaughter. In addition even if such prosecutions don't proceed senior managers may well find themselves helping the police with their enquiries/arrested to enable the police to gather sufficient evidence for a successful CM prosecution. This could involve several senior managers at the same time who may well subsequently be bailed but it wouldn't be a very pleasant experience and would impinge on their work and the organisation.
regards
Steve
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Posted By Phil Grace
Lots of good stuff - and some interesting points
No personal liability under Corp Manslaughter so what is there to insure...?
You can't insure against fines -- it is against public policy but you can take out insurance to cover legal costs and expenses
There might be more prosecutions under HaSaW Act - partly to prove that company was guilty under Corp Manslaughter
If there were prosecutions of managers, safety advisers etc (as part of wider Corp Manslaughter prosecution) then the employer's EL insurer covers costs of defence - and this cover would include both directors and other employees
For consultants it might be different - they could be dragged into a Corp Manslaughter case if they had been deemed to have given poor advice - their Prof Indemnity might respond. But policy wording might need checking - what would be wanted is cover for legal expenses and if the PI policy did not provide sufficient cover then a top up Legal Expenses policy might be needed
Hope that helps.
Phil
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