Introduction to Semester 2 & Vicarious & Corporate Liability
Reading to do:
Jonathan Herring, Criminal Law: Texts, Cases and Materials (9th Edn.) Chapter 13
Grenfell Tower:
14 June 2017, Grenfell Tower – a tower block in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea – was destroyed by fire
Kensington and Chelsea generally considered wealthy area, but Grenfell was in one of the most deprived postcodes
Grenfell had recently undergone renovation, including cladding installation
Caused by electrical fault in fridge-freezer
Fire caused 72 deaths
Investigations:
Phase 1 Inquiry was published in October 2019 - Homepage | Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Phase 2 of the inquiry is still ongoing, and no criminal charges will be thought before this is concluded
BUT – would it be possible to bring a charge of corporate manslaughter?
Sally Ramage, Grenfell Tower, Crim Law 2017, 234
July 2017 – MPS announced “reasonable grounds” to suspect the offence of corporate manslaughter
Council and tenant management company are being investigated
Could contractors be liable?
Discussed whether they could also be charged with reckless manslaughter
Victoria Roper, Grenfell charge delays understandable, but where have all the corporate manslaughter prosecutions
gone?, 40(8) Comp Law 265 (2019)
Concern that delays in investigation may be a barrier to prosecution
However – delays demonstrate complexities of the investigations and does not mean prosecutions will not be brought
Reflects on these prosecutions in relation to the difficulties prosecuting larger companies and organisations
Contrasts against the old law, where director of the company needed to be responsible (see Zebrugge Ferry Disaster,
Southall Rail Disaster)
Reading to do:
Jonathan Herring, Criminal Law: Texts, Cases and Materials (9th Edn.) Chapter 13
Grenfell Tower:
14 June 2017, Grenfell Tower – a tower block in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea – was destroyed by fire
Kensington and Chelsea generally considered wealthy area, but Grenfell was in one of the most deprived postcodes
Grenfell had recently undergone renovation, including cladding installation
Caused by electrical fault in fridge-freezer
Fire caused 72 deaths
Investigations:
Phase 1 Inquiry was published in October 2019 - Homepage | Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Phase 2 of the inquiry is still ongoing, and no criminal charges will be thought before this is concluded
BUT – would it be possible to bring a charge of corporate manslaughter?
Sally Ramage, Grenfell Tower, Crim Law 2017, 234
July 2017 – MPS announced “reasonable grounds” to suspect the offence of corporate manslaughter
Council and tenant management company are being investigated
Could contractors be liable?
Discussed whether they could also be charged with reckless manslaughter
Victoria Roper, Grenfell charge delays understandable, but where have all the corporate manslaughter prosecutions
gone?, 40(8) Comp Law 265 (2019)
Concern that delays in investigation may be a barrier to prosecution
However – delays demonstrate complexities of the investigations and does not mean prosecutions will not be brought
Reflects on these prosecutions in relation to the difficulties prosecuting larger companies and organisations
Contrasts against the old law, where director of the company needed to be responsible (see Zebrugge Ferry Disaster,
Southall Rail Disaster)
