Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill

Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)
16.  What progress he has made on ensuring that members of the public who help others or intervene in emergencies are not prosecuted if something goes wrong.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Shailesh Vara)
We want to encourage participation in activities which benefit others, but people can be deterred from getting involved by worries about risk and liability. The Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill, currently before Parliament, will require the civil courts to consider whether a person has been acting for the benefit of society or intervening in an emergency if he or she is sued in negligence or for breach of statutory duty.

Bob Blackman
Clearly we want to encourage good Samaritans to go to the aid of those in distress. What further measures can my hon. Friend propose to ensure that people who assist those in distress are protected from unnecessary legal action?

Mr Vara
I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. The Bill will send a powerful message to the public that if they are acting selflessly in an emergency to help somebody in danger and something goes wrong, the courts will always consider the context of their actions if they are sued in negligence or for breach of statutory duty.