Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill 2006-07

This Bill makes provision for a new offence of corporate manslaughter (to be called corporate homicide in Scotland) and for this to apply to companies and other incorporated bodies, Government departments and similar bodies and police forces.

The new offence only applies in circumstances where an organisation owed a duty of care to the victim under the law of negligence. Duties of care commonly owed by corporations include the duty owed by an employer to his employees to provide a safe system of work and by an occupier of buildings and land to people in or on, or potentially affected by, the property. Duties of care also arise out of the activities that are conducted by corporations, such as the duty owed by transport companies to their passengers.

Introduced in July 2006, subsequent amendments have been made but not incorporated into the original version of Bill

As at 06/12/2006: Bill as brought from the Commons and ordered to be printed in the Lords (21-page / 14MB pdf).

As at 18/07/2007: Ping Pong, where the bill passes back and forth between the two Houses debating amendments to the bill

Homepage for Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill on UK Parliament website.

See: OUT-LAW's guide on the Procedure for passing laws in the UK