Huge fines for fire safety breaches 'will continue'01 November 2010Those found guilty of fire breaches could end up paying out unlimited amounts of cash, a fire safety lawyer said at Firex North last week. In what she described as a “bunfest for lawyers,” Hilary Ross of Bond Pearce solicitors said fines were likely to be more closely linked with the offending company’s turnover. While death and risk were factors in the judging of a case, Ms Ross said that the size of a fine would probably be in proportion to the size of the business. She was speaking at the See you in court? Legal and enforcement proceedings seminar session at Manchester Central. It comes after the Court of Appeal upheld a record fine for retailer New Look. The clothing chain was ordered to pay out £400,000 earlier this year for fire safety breaches following a fire at its Oxford Street store in London.    |
