This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Corporate homicide consultation
23/11/2004
A consultation on proposals to make it a specific
offence in Scotland for corporate and public bodies to
cause death through failures of management - so called
'corporate homicide' - is to be launched in the New
Year.
A Bill on Corporate Manslaughter was included in the
Queen's Speech today.
Although it relates only to England and Wales, Justice
Minister Cathy Jamieson confirmed that the Executive would
consult on proposals to create a new offence of corporate
homicide in Scotland.
She said:
"I know there is public concern that there is a possible
gap in the law that makes it difficult for companies to be
prosecuted for deaths that are attributable to management
failures.
"The First Minister and I have already made clear that
if legislation was required to reform this area of law then
we will not hesitate to bring forward proposals for
legislation.
"I can today announce that we will consult on options
for change to the law in this area and how best to deliver
such change. This is a very complex area of law and it is
crucial to get the issues of accountability right.
Consultation on specific proposals will be a very helpful
step in addressing those issues."