NHS Trust Acquitted of Corporate Manslaughter
9th Jun 2025
John Cooper KC and Sandesh Singh have secured the acquittal of the North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) at the conclusion of what is believed to be the longest ever Corporate Manslaughter / Health and Safety trial.
NELFT was charged with Corporate Manslaughter and an offence contrary to s3 HSWA 1974 following the death of a detained patient at Goodmayes Hospital in 2015. The trial lasted over seven months at the Central Criminal Court, before the Common Serjeant of London and a jury.
After weeks of deliberation, the jury unanimously acquitted NELFT of Corporate Manslaughter. NELFT was convicted of the health and safety offence and will be sentenced in due course.
The Ward Manager was also acquitted of Gross Negligence Manslaughter and convicted of a health and safety offence.
This was an exceptionally complex case, involving evidence from eight expert witnesses and numerous legal issues concerning the elements of Corporate Manslaughter (particularly in relation to ‘management failure’, senior management contribution and causation).
Some further information about the case can be found here: Sky News Link
John and Sandesh were instructed by David Wright and Kathryn Lumby of Kennedys.
