Coach & Bus Transport Law
Transport & Regulatory Law Solicitors » Coach & Bus Transport Industry » Corporate Manslaughter
Corporate Manslaughter
Make Sure You Are Protected
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 came into force on 6th April 2008. Since then much has been written about the potentially catastrophic financial penalties which may be imposed upon a transport business if it is found liable under this legislation which was designed to ensure that companies could not defeat cases involving fatalities as they had been doing previously.
Running buses and coaches, there is an inherent risk of road traffic accidents for a transport operator and, not surprisingly, the best time for an operator to act is long before you are involved in a fatal accident. Run enough vehicles and for many PSV businesses it may be a question of “when” rather than “if” one of their vehicles becomes involved in a serious accident (fatal or not).
Managing the immediate aftermath of a fatal road traffic accident, including obtaining urgent advice upon what needs to be done can make all the difference between successfully protecting the driver and operator from prosecution and the awful consequences of prosecution, potential conviction and call up to Public Inquiry by your Traffic Commissioner.
Contact us to find out more about the ways in which our expert transport lawyers can help protect your coach and bus business in the event of a serious or fatal accident. The sooner you obtain expert legal advice, the better.
Latest Coach & Bus Industry News and Insight
Changes to the HGV & PSV Test Regime for Earned Recognition Operators
In a Section 19 Public Inquiry hearing heard last year (2023) the Traffic Commissioner highlighted again the importance of permit operators ensuring that their vehicles allow passengers and other road users to be safe.
by Emma PellyCampaign to Bar Schools from using Section 19 Permits
In a Section 19 Public Inquiry hearing heard last year (2023) the Traffic Commissioner highlighted again the importance of permit operators ensuring that their vehicles allow passengers and other road users to be safe.
by Emma PellyMoving to a Digital First Approach in Heavy Vehicle Testing
In a Section 19 Public Inquiry hearing heard last year (2023) the Traffic Commissioner highlighted again the importance of permit operators ensuring that their vehicles allow passengers and other road users to be safe.
by Emma PellyTraffic Commissioner Highlights Abuse of Section-19 Permits
In a Section 19 Public Inquiry hearing heard last year (2023) the Traffic Commissioner highlighted again the importance of permit operators ensuring that their vehicles allow passengers and other road users to be safe.
by Emma PellyAre you Up To Date with the Guidance on Right to Work Checks?
In August 2023, it was announced that from 2024 the penalties imposed on employers who are found to be employing people who do not have a right to work in the UK would be tripled, in an effort to curb this “black-market” practice and raise the disincentives for people to come to the UK to live and work illegally.
by Emma PellyDriver CPC Reform: Department For Transport Publishes Consultation Findings
In early 2022 the Department of Transport (DfT) launched a consultation into the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) regime, following a review undertaken in late 2021 on the driver shortage issues.
by Emma PellyGovernment Publishes Review into Traffic Commissioner Function
During 2021 and 2022 the government ran a review into the Traffic Commissioner Function in the UK. The report into this review was published at the end of May 2023.
by Emma PellyPSVAR Review – Call for Evidence
Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Richard Holden has urged members of the coach and bus industry to respond to the government’s call for evidence (CfE) in a key review on the Public Services Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) which were introduced in 2000.
by Emma PellySeat Belt Buckle Guards – How Safe Are They?
On 9th February 2023 the DVSA issued a “Daily Digest Bulletin” on the subject of seat belt buckle guards. A buckle guard is a component that is added to the standard seat belt equipment of a vehicle, in order to prevent the seat belt being released whilst the vehicle is in motion.
by Emma PellyFrequently Asked Question: I run a PSV under a Section 19 Permit – does it need to be PSVAR Compliant and do my Drivers need Driver CPC?
There is a specific exemption within the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) which applies to vehicles used in accordance with Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985; in other words, those operated under a Section 19 permit: so PSVAR does not apply in these cases.
by Emma PellyDVSA Issue Revised Guidance on the Categorisation of Defects on Vehicles
This revision gives a total of 29 revisions to the various checks that DVSA officers would be expected to carry out during any roadside checks they undertake.
by Emma PellyDVLA – Accelerating Medical Fitness Applications
It is to be hoped that professional drivers will no longer have to endure weeks of waiting for their driving licences to be processed, as the Government has implemented changes to the Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA) to allow a wider range of health care professionals to approve medical examinations.
by Emma PellyLatest Coach & Bus Industry News and Insight
Changes to the HGV & PSV Test Regime for Earned Recognition Operators
In a Section 19 Public Inquiry hearing heard last year (2023) the Traffic Commissioner highlighted again the importance of permit operators ensuring that their vehicles allow passengers and other road users to be safe.
by Emma PellyCampaign to Bar Schools from using Section 19 Permits
In a Section 19 Public Inquiry hearing heard last year (2023) the Traffic Commissioner highlighted again the importance of permit operators ensuring that their vehicles allow passengers and other road users to be safe.
by Emma PellyMoving to a Digital First Approach in Heavy Vehicle Testing
In a Section 19 Public Inquiry hearing heard last year (2023) the Traffic Commissioner highlighted again the importance of permit operators ensuring that their vehicles allow passengers and other road users to be safe.
by Emma PellyTraffic Commissioner Highlights Abuse of Section-19 Permits
In a Section 19 Public Inquiry hearing heard last year (2023) the Traffic Commissioner highlighted again the importance of permit operators ensuring that their vehicles allow passengers and other road users to be safe.
by Emma PellyAre you Up To Date with the Guidance on Right to Work Checks?
In August 2023, it was announced that from 2024 the penalties imposed on employers who are found to be employing people who do not have a right to work in the UK would be tripled, in an effort to curb this “black-market” practice and raise the disincentives for people to come to the UK to live and work illegally.
by Emma PellyDriver CPC Reform: Department For Transport Publishes Consultation Findings
In early 2022 the Department of Transport (DfT) launched a consultation into the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) regime, following a review undertaken in late 2021 on the driver shortage issues.
by Emma PellyGovernment Publishes Review into Traffic Commissioner Function
During 2021 and 2022 the government ran a review into the Traffic Commissioner Function in the UK. The report into this review was published at the end of May 2023.
by Emma PellyPSVAR Review – Call for Evidence
Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Richard Holden has urged members of the coach and bus industry to respond to the government’s call for evidence (CfE) in a key review on the Public Services Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) which were introduced in 2000.
by Emma PellySeat Belt Buckle Guards – How Safe Are They?
On 9th February 2023 the DVSA issued a “Daily Digest Bulletin” on the subject of seat belt buckle guards. A buckle guard is a component that is added to the standard seat belt equipment of a vehicle, in order to prevent the seat belt being released whilst the vehicle is in motion.
by Emma PellyFrequently Asked Question: I run a PSV under a Section 19 Permit – does it need to be PSVAR Compliant and do my Drivers need Driver CPC?
There is a specific exemption within the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) which applies to vehicles used in accordance with Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985; in other words, those operated under a Section 19 permit: so PSVAR does not apply in these cases.
by Emma PellyDVSA Issue Revised Guidance on the Categorisation of Defects on Vehicles
This revision gives a total of 29 revisions to the various checks that DVSA officers would be expected to carry out during any roadside checks they undertake.
by Emma PellyDVLA – Accelerating Medical Fitness Applications
It is to be hoped that professional drivers will no longer have to endure weeks of waiting for their driving licences to be processed, as the Government has implemented changes to the Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA) to allow a wider range of health care professionals to approve medical examinations.
by Emma Pelly"A brilliant, hard-working team who go over and above for the client. They are rightly recognised to be one of the best transport practices in the country. They are an exceptional specialist firm who punch way over their weight. They have an excellent reputation."
"An established practice with recognised strength in representing haulier and passenger clients on an array of regulatory proceedings. An impressive practice advising goods and passenger vehicle operators on the full range of road regulatory matters."
"They know the field backwards and would be perfectly capable of running a transport business."
"The firm has an incredible knowledge of transport and associated regulations. They are extremely knowledgeable."
"They have very good client-care skills. They really go the extra mile for the client and leave no stone unturned and they always deliver well and on time. My overall impression of the Pellys team is one of thoroughness in everything they do."
"They react very quickly, we are always kept up to speed on what is going on and they are very responsive. If I need something at short notice and ring out of hours I get a very quick response. They’re extremely easy to get hold of and professional."