BLP, Freshfields and Maclays turn to Lissack QC for advice

Berwin Leighton Paisner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Maclay Murray & Spens have turned to top silk Richard Lissack QC to guide clients through new corporate killing legislation.

The firms went to Lissack following the Government's announcement that new legislation will make it easier to prosecute companies for negligence leading to deaths.

Lissack, who is lead prosecution counsel in the ongoing Hatfield rail crash corporate manslaughter case, has given advice about how companies can best protect themselves against potential prosecutions.

He said that the act is likely to result in more cases being brought against big corporations. He added: "There is a genuine wish in these companies to get the systems in place and get their work practices right."

But Lissack said that individuals will not be threatened by the new legislation, instead being liable for accidental deaths under existing common law.

Freshfields litigation partner Jane Jenkins said that Lissack's reputation, coupled with a prior relationship, made him the ideal person to seek advice from.