Haulage & Logistics Law
Transport & Regulatory Law Solicitors » Haulage & Logistics Industry » HGV – Corporate Manslaughter
HGV - Corporate Manslaughter
Since it came into force on 6th April 2008, much has been written about the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, including the potentially catastrophic financial penalties which may be imposed upon an operator if it is found to be liable under the new legislation.
It may be stating the obvious, but the best time for an HGV logistics operation to act is long before they are involved in a fatal accident. For many, larger HGV operators – especially those operating in and around large cities with increased cycle traffic on the roads – it is often 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 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. So before you have to face the consequences of an accident give our road transport lawyers a call now on 01279 818280 and see how we can help to protect your road haulage business.
Latest Haulage & Logistics News and Insight

Revisiting the DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness
In April 2025 the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued the latest edition of its Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.

The Wheels on the Bus go Round & Round….but how do they Stop?
At the tail end of 2024 a Public Inquiry was held in front of Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney where the subject of brake maintenance practices was called into question…

Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme for Commercial Vehicle Workshops is Launched
One of the key tenants of running a commercial vehicle operation, whether ‘HGV’ or ‘PSV’ is that the maintenance of the vehicles is paramount. For some operators this will mean having their own maintenance facilities and teams to look after their fleet of vehicles in house, but the majority of operators in the UK are reliant on 3rd Party maintenance providers…

Changes to Brake Safety Inspections for Commercial Vehicles – April 2025
In April 2025 the brake testing regime guidance will change. Roller Brake Tests, that have been mandatory for years, will be joined by an Electronic Break Performance Monitoring System or EBPMS…

Case Study – Public Inquiry for Gillbard Plant, Autumn 2024
Gillbard Plant was called to Public Inquiry in Autumn 2024. The hearing made headlines in the transport press due to the element of “DVSA Poacher turned Game-keeper” of Gillbard Plant’s Transport Manager, Mr. Anthony Brayley-Willmetts, a former DVSA (VOSA) examiner turned transport consultant…

DVSA Load Security Guidance – Updated December 2024
When carrying loads on lorries every HGV Operator knows how important it is to ensure that goods are secured safely so that they arrive at their destination in good condition and that they do not cause any damage or danger on the UK’s roads during the process of transporting them…

New Rules for Vehicle Operators and Drivers Carrying Out International Journeys
The Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency recently issued a bulletin regarding the new rules that vehicle operators and their drivers will have to comply with if travelling on international journeys…

Road Haulage Association Members and DVSA Leadership Work Shadow Each Other!
To help highlight the Road Haulage Association’s “National Lorry Week” which this year was between 4th and 8th November 2024, the Road Haulage Association and the DVSA’s Leadership team decided to spend some time work shadowing each other….

2024 Update to Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness (GTMR)
The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness is the Driver & Vehicle Standard Agency’s (DVSA) standard produced in collaboration with key industry stake holders which explains the responsibilities and systems involved in maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy….

New Driver CPC Reforms to be in Force from 3rd December 2024
Following a very lengthy consultation period on this matter launched in early 2023, Parliament finally debated the “Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) (Amendment) Regulations 2024” on Tuesday 29th October 2024…

When Sat Nav’s Lead Lorries Astray!
Lorries getting into trouble and causing chaos in the small country roads of Great Britain have been making headlines again. Whilst a lot of this content is amusing and no doubt is a winner with internet audiences there is a very serious side to these incidents…

Traffic Commissioners 2023-2024 Report – the Highlights & the Lowlights of the Year
In early October the Traffic Commissioners of Great Britain published their annual report. The report encompasses the purpose of the individual Traffic Commissioners who are independent regulators for the goods vehicle and public service vehicle industries and their professional drivers…
Latest Haulage & Logistics News and Insight

Revisiting the DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness
In April 2025 the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued the latest edition of its Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.

The Wheels on the Bus go Round & Round….but how do they Stop?
At the tail end of 2024 a Public Inquiry was held in front of Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney where the subject of brake maintenance practices was called into question…

Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme for Commercial Vehicle Workshops is Launched
One of the key tenants of running a commercial vehicle operation, whether ‘HGV’ or ‘PSV’ is that the maintenance of the vehicles is paramount. For some operators this will mean having their own maintenance facilities and teams to look after their fleet of vehicles in house, but the majority of operators in the UK are reliant on 3rd Party maintenance providers…

Changes to Brake Safety Inspections for Commercial Vehicles – April 2025
In April 2025 the brake testing regime guidance will change. Roller Brake Tests, that have been mandatory for years, will be joined by an Electronic Break Performance Monitoring System or EBPMS…

Case Study – Public Inquiry for Gillbard Plant, Autumn 2024
Gillbard Plant was called to Public Inquiry in Autumn 2024. The hearing made headlines in the transport press due to the element of “DVSA Poacher turned Game-keeper” of Gillbard Plant’s Transport Manager, Mr. Anthony Brayley-Willmetts, a former DVSA (VOSA) examiner turned transport consultant…

DVSA Load Security Guidance – Updated December 2024
When carrying loads on lorries every HGV Operator knows how important it is to ensure that goods are secured safely so that they arrive at their destination in good condition and that they do not cause any damage or danger on the UK’s roads during the process of transporting them…

New Rules for Vehicle Operators and Drivers Carrying Out International Journeys
The Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency recently issued a bulletin regarding the new rules that vehicle operators and their drivers will have to comply with if travelling on international journeys…

Road Haulage Association Members and DVSA Leadership Work Shadow Each Other!
To help highlight the Road Haulage Association’s “National Lorry Week” which this year was between 4th and 8th November 2024, the Road Haulage Association and the DVSA’s Leadership team decided to spend some time work shadowing each other….

2024 Update to Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness (GTMR)
The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness is the Driver & Vehicle Standard Agency’s (DVSA) standard produced in collaboration with key industry stake holders which explains the responsibilities and systems involved in maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy….

New Driver CPC Reforms to be in Force from 3rd December 2024
Following a very lengthy consultation period on this matter launched in early 2023, Parliament finally debated the “Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) (Amendment) Regulations 2024” on Tuesday 29th October 2024…

When Sat Nav’s Lead Lorries Astray!
Lorries getting into trouble and causing chaos in the small country roads of Great Britain have been making headlines again. Whilst a lot of this content is amusing and no doubt is a winner with internet audiences there is a very serious side to these incidents…

Traffic Commissioners 2023-2024 Report – the Highlights & the Lowlights of the Year
In early October the Traffic Commissioners of Great Britain published their annual report. The report encompasses the purpose of the individual Traffic Commissioners who are independent regulators for the goods vehicle and public service vehicle industries and their professional drivers…
"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."