Terms
of Reference
The Terms of Reference
were as follows:
| 1 |
To
consider how best to strengthen HSE’s
capability for conducting prosecutions for
health and safety law in England and Wales. |
| 2 |
To
make recommendations with regard to:
| • |
the
role of inspectors in preparing, approving
and prosecuting cases; |
| • |
the
future use of solicitor agents or
internal legal resources for complex
and defended cases; |
| • |
the
collection of casework information
in order to monitor prosecution outcomes
and inform prosecution policy; and
|
| • |
systems
to ensure the dissemination of up
to date legal policy and guidance,
to ensure prosecution decisions are
soundly based, so that, for example,
proper representations are made to
magistrates on mode of trial. |
|
| 3 |
To
report to the Executive in March 2001 |
During
the period of the review, the report into HM
Customs and Excise prosecution work was published.
HSE'e Review Team considered that:
"Although
there are many differences between Customs
and Excise prosecutions and those brought
by HSE, the issues of independent legal review
of the investigation and the need for prosecution
agencies to be accountable to the Attorney
General discussed in Gower/Hammond are directly
relevant to HSE’s review."
|
