Episode 1: A.C.T. National’s mock trial reveals court process to event professionals

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Health and safety company, A.C.T. National, arranged a mock trial to demonstrate to event professionals the legal procedures that follow when a criminal case is brought to court. The first in our series of weekly updates, this episode welcomes the jury (the audience members) and explains the upcoming procedures. 

Sponsored by insurance giant, Aon plc and ran by practising criminal barristers, the mock trial was aimed at event professionals to provide insight into what the legal and prosecution processes would be if an incident occurred on site.

Human error is the main cause of incidents, injuries and even fatalities and therefore the key force behind event professionals being prosecuted.

Describing hindsight as a “wonderful tool”, the prosecution barrister, David Campbell, said prosecution is almost inescapable if a fatality or serious injury occurs. However, having approved systems in place ensures employees and workers are safe and, if an accident does occur, organisers can be assured they will not be found culpable.

Campbell described the incident of a sub-contractor who obtained injuries after an allegedly inadequate site induction. He introduced the defendants as a construction company and an electrical company which were charged with having breached health and safety protocols. 

“These companies played fast and loose with people’s health and safety and they deserve to be held accountable in this court.”

The first witness, Alan Tungate, acting as a health and safety inspector for the South West, was called upon to provide the first lot of evidence, referring to “exhibits” to aid and corroborate his story.

The trial will continue next week, exclusively on Event Industry News.


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Molly Hookings
Author: Molly Hookings

Molly joined the editorial team in March 2019. She has several years’ experience working in broadcast and journalism, as well as marketing and PR. Past experience includes working for the BBC and independent publishing houses. If you have a story you think Molly might be interested in, please email: molly@eventindustrynews.com