Date set for first UK corporate manslaughter case

The first trial under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 has had its date set for February 23rd 2010, it is reported.

The case has been brought against Peter Eaton and his company Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings and the first plea hearing is set to be held in October after being adjourned recently.

Mr Eaton and his firm are being charged with the unlawful killing of Alexander Wright, 27, a geologist who died when a Gloucestershire trench collapsed while he was collecting soil samples.

The trial will take place at Bristol Crown Court and Mr Eaton has been charged with gross negligence, manslaughter and for a breach of Section 37 of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act.

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He is currently on unconditional bail.

The firm is the first to be charged under the new law, which was designed in the hope of simplifying the prosecution of employers over deaths that occur in the workplace.