The Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Bill was awaiting Royal Assent to become an Act as Employee Benefits went to press. David Urpeth, partner at solicitors firm Irwin Mitchell, said the government had "missed an opportunity" by not including individual liability for senior managers. Instead, organisations will be fined if the way its activities are managed causes a person's death. This was always possible under health and safety law, but it is hoped the new law will make it easier for enforcement organisations to prosecute. "Personal liability would have focused the minds of directors and [put] the health and safety of workers and the public at the top of the agenda," Urpeth added.

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