Death firms facing legal clampdown

A NEW law to impose tougher penalties on companies which cause death or injury is being proposed in the Scottish Parliament.

SNP backbencher Dr Bill Wilson claimed firms found guilty of criminal offences often faced only trivial punishment – half of cases involving the death of a worker or member of the public resulted in a fine of less than £12,500.

He wants to introduce a new system of "equity fines", where courts could order convicted companies to issue a set number of new shares, with the proceeds paid to the court.

He said such fines would direct the punishment at owners and shareholders and reduce the risk of workers' pay and conditions being cut to meet the costs the penalty.

Courts would also be able to order reports into companies' financial circumstances.