A COURT has cleared a French couple of any criminal charges after one of their dinner guests got into his car while drunk and caused an accident which killed a family of five and himself.

The couple were accused of 'deliberate failure to stop a crime against a person' in a case that could have had serious implications for French companies and was the first trial of its kind to be held in the country.

Legal experts had warned that the decision could have an immediate impact on companies, especially when it comes to hosting staff or customer parties where there is alcohol available (Fleet News Europe, October 21).