Support for corporate manslaughter offence

Support this morning for the concept of the introduction of a corporate manslaughter offence.

The Council of Trade Unions has made the call following the Pike River Mine disaster.

Criminal Law Professor at Auckland University Warren Brookbanks says right now liability is excluded for companies, because homicide can only be committed by the killing of one human being by another.

He says such an offence would be worth investigating.

"Certainly given the significant increase in corporate activity in the last fifty years and the fact that the activity can seriously impact the health and safety of other people, probably it's something that's worth investigating."

Mr Brookbanks says it was introduced in the UK six years ago.

A London lawyer specialising in corporate manslaughter says the introduction of the charge has resulted in a change in health and safety practices in the UK.

Shula De Jersey from law firm Russell Jones and Walker says it's been in place in the UK for several years.

She says it's gone a long way in getting a focus on producing and operating safe systems of work, which ultimately means there should be fewer deaths.

De Jersey says it's rather rare for the charge to be brought, with only one successful prosecution in the UK to date.

Photo: NZ Herald