Long-delayed proposals to make it easier to prosecute companies following fatal accidents were finally passed by Parliament yesterday.

The corporate manslaughter and homicide bill, which was first put forward more than a decade ago, can now pass on to the statute book.

Although the bill will not put individual directors in the dock, the actions of senior management involved in any prosecution will be put under renewed focus as a result of the new law.

The bill had to be rescued at the last minute by Ministers when disputes over its contents threatened the bill with failure if it ran out of Parliamentary time.

It was saved only because Jack Straw, the justice secretary, moved a parliamentary motion to provide another week for debate.

The deadlock caused by a row between the Lords and the Commons – ended with an agreement to compromise over peers' calls for deaths in custody to be covered by the new law.

The corporate manslaughter and corporate homicide bill now awaits royal assent.

Full coverage of this major story and its impact on fleet operators will be provided in next week’s Fleet News

Detailed analysis of the impact of new corporate manslaughter legislation will be provided for delegates at the annual Hit for Six Conference.

The event will take place on September 19 in Oxford and September 26 in Ilkley. For full details and to book your place, log onto www.hitforsixconference.com.

The briefing on corporate manslaughter will be part of an in-depth guide to legislaton provided by Philip Somarakis, senior solicitor with Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons.

In addition, Saul Jeavons, of the Transafe Network, will be briefing fleets on key risk management techniques in the light of current legislation.

The conference will also cover a range of other important issues for fleets, including green fleet management, technology, funding, acquisition strategies and training.

For tickets and further details, contact Sandra Evitt on 01733 468123 or log onto the website www.hitforsixconference.com.