Recent Cases

R v B

The case involved issues of corporate type liability with the defendant and his partner facing a manslaughter charge arising from a fatal RTA. A lorry owned by the defendants had been travelling on the public highway. During the course of the journey a wheel from one of the three axles became detatched, unfortunately rolling down a footpath and impacting with a pedestrian who died instantly. The prosecution alleged that the lorry was in such poor condition that the wheel had come off due to a lack of maintenance. This issue was central to the trial as the prosecution had to prove that lack of maintenance represented "gross negligence". The particular arrangements within the farming industry were under scrutiny as the majority of farm vehicles do not require an MOT or equivalent. After hearing both civilian and expert evidence the Jury found the defendant and his partner not guilty of the manslaughter and related charges.