The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 will change the basis on which companies, other corporate bodies and certain organisations can be prosecuted for corporate manslaughter (corporate homicide in Scotland).

This is an opportunity to ensure that risks are properly managed within organisations, but the new Act will not introduce any new regulatory standards: the new offence is targeted at gross management failure and the benchmark for this will be current health and safety laws.  Any proceedings will be taken against the governing body corporately, and not against an individual.
 
The Ministry of Justice has prepared guidance to the new Act and an introductory leaflet, to help employers and other organisations understand how the new law works.  Copies of these are available from the Ministry of Justice website.