Afternoon, Seems the sussex fireworks explosion boss has been found guilty of manslaughter. Anybody happen to know if this is using the new Act or just a good old-fashioned HASAWA manslaughter conviction. In any event, it's yet another small concern. I await with interest an attempt to prosecute a large and complex organisation under the new law, John

As Ray has pointed out, the 'new' act deals with CORPORATE offences, not to individuals, so looking at the BBC report I suggest that they have been found guilty of GNM. There isn't anything within HASAWA that allows for a charge or conviction of manslaughter! I am not sure what your concern is and wonder if you can elaborate? I for one has no great concern about people being brought before the courts to answer for their crimes, especially where, as in this case someone has been found to be 'grossly negligent'. I would think that you will have to wait some time yet to see a large organisation charged and convicted of CM/CH as my understanding is that the evidential requirements must also post date the act coming into effect. I personnally am a little more confident than Ray that the act will enable a conviction of a larger organisation, and certainly the likelihood is greater than previously. But like Ray I won't be holding my breath.