Businesses which use vehicles in their line of work are being ‘summonsed’ to appear at a mock trial aimed at driving home the risks they face of prosecution for motoring offences committed by their employees.
The mock trial, featuring real transport solicitors, experts and magistrate, will be held on October 11th at Rochdale Town Hall.
Greater Manchester Chamber in conjunction Anthony K Associates, Prestige Fleet Consultants, Stephensons Solicitors LLP and Ignition RM have organised the series of ‘Mock Trials' and presentations, to highlight the typical cases that company owners/directors/managers could face in the event of failure to be compliant and plan effectively.
John Lawrence JP, senior consultant at Prestige Fleet Consultants Ltd, said: “Every single business uses vehicles for work, whether they use directors cars, company provided cars, vans and heavy commercial vehicles, through to allowing employees to use their own private vehicles to travel around on business. These all come into scope of work related journeys and must be managed and recorded.”
The Court room scene at the event is uniquely realistic, and will include solicitors/barristers and magistrates performing their roles in a scenario where a business is facing prosecution for a driving related health and safety incident. Those attending with see first hand the process a business may go through, and the consequences of the prosecution. They will then have the opportunity to take part in an open forum to discuss any related issues or questions they may have.
At the end of the event, all attendees will also have the opportunity to approach specialists in the areas of legal, risk, compliance, fleet/HR management and vehicle/services procurement.
Sean Joyce, Partner and Head of the road transport and motoring team at Stephensons Solicitors LLP, said: “Twenty road deaths each week involve people at work so this will be a must-attend event for businesses which are serious about their health and safety responsibilities.
“Businesses are at risk of prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act and the Health and Safety (Offences) Act. The mock trial will drive home the message to businesses that compliance with the rules of using vehicles at work is essential to avoid prosecution.”
The specialist presenters at these events have gained substantial experience by successfully implementing road risk solutions into large, medium and small businesses, and their experience and solutions ensured that companies met the duty of care to their employees and members of the public.
The mock trial, at Rochdale Council Chamber, within the Town Hall, costs £11 plus VAT for members of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and £22 plus VAT for all others. It will begin at 1pm for registration and refreshments, with a conclusion at 4.30pm. For more information, visit: www.gmchamber.co.uk/events/1458
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Stephensons has 30 Partners and around 350 staff in offices across Greater Manchester and Merseyside.
- For more information, visit www.stephensons.co.uk.
For all media enquiries please contact: Lianne Tracey
Stephensons Solicitors LLP
T: 01942 774225
E: Lianne.tracey@stephensons.co.uk
