Mark has advised he is expecting the next steps in the Worksafe prosecution process to occur during June 2023.
The legal process is ponderous more so currently because of a backlog, a result of Covid postponing many cases. In the meantime, the legal costs continue to climb.
Mark Law is very grateful for your support and passes his thanks.
The recent hearing this month was a good opportunity to meet the judge and get to know the Legal teams representing both WorkSafe and the Defendants. The incredible and absurd amount of money and time being invested into hindsight seems so back to front when we as a people and a nation would welcome a fraction of this spend at the forefront of doing business, to guide us from the likes of the White Island disaster which WorkSafe approved, alongside our decisions to operate also, then charge us as criminals.
If ever there was a situation that suited the iconic NZ saying, "yeah nah", this has to be it.
September the 13th is set down for the plea hearing in Whakatane. The Lawyers and I are working through the last 3000 documents and plus another 1500 documents from WorkSafe, to see what additional information pertains to us and the charges. We will make our decision following this, shaped by an honest moral feel of what we know, what we could have done, what we did do and lastly for the families of the deceased and injured.
Thanks for all your support. Mark Law
Thanks again to all who have donated to assist Mark Law to defend the Worksafe charges following the eruption at White Island.
Mark is using Durroch Forest to defend his company against the charges laid by WorkSafe. The next court date relating to these charges is scheduled for the 5th or 6th of June 2021 in the Auckland District Count. The outcome of these charges will undoubtedly set a precedent for the future.
The charges laid relate to Mark's company activities at White Island, prior to the eruption. Thanks for your help, John Funnell
The Government has ordered an independent review of WorkSafe’s oversight of Whakaari White Island tours following the eruption that killed 22 people.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood made the announcement on Friday when he released the first stage of a targeted review of adventure activity regulations identifying serious gaps in WorkSafe’s enforcement regime.
Mark Law representing his helicopter company Kahu NZ was scheduled to appear in the Auckland Court today, however, the case has been adjourned till 5th March.
His legal team are yet to clarify if the charges laid include the flights to White Island to recover the injured.
Whilst WorkSafe have stated in the media releases the charges relate only to activities prior to the eruption, this is not clear and is yet to be clarified next week.
Today was the 12-month anniversary of the White Island eruption in which 22 people have lost lives. Our thoughts are with the families of those people today.
Mark told me this morning while he has been very busy on the phone since the WorkSafe charges have been laid, he will always find time to talk to the family members of those lost or injured from White Island. If you are a family member of the lost or injured you can contact Mark Law via me, by sending a text to me on +6421733142 John Funnell
