First published in 2001. This book provides a socio-legal analysis of disasters by setting out two sport and leisure disasters (the 1989 Hillsborough and Marchioness disasters) and considering them in their broader legal/political/economic and policy contexts. It bases the analysis on in-depth examinations of the legal responses to these disasters. The foundations for the case studies are laid by reviewing critiques of relevant contemporary legal problems. These include the concepts and contexts of disasters; the law in a liberal democracy; negligence, mass actions and policy in PTSD cases; statutory regulation of and safety; the laws of corporate reckless manslaughter and the contemporary legal problems of inquests and public inquiries into disasters.

The theoretical and policy chapters are followed by the presentation of the two case study disasters, drawing on documentary sources and interviews with academics, policy makers, key legal practitioners and campaigners for legal reform, involved in these post-disaster legal processes. The analysis returns to the critical themes of the earlier chapters and ends with conclusions and recommendations for further research and legal reform arising out of this area of ‘disaster law’.

Students in sport and leisure courses will be required to tackle legal and ethical issues. Law modules and courses in sport and law are developing an increasingly socio-legal, if not multi-disciplinary approach. This book takes account of this, taking a critical, multi-disciplinary approach to sport, leisure and the law. However, it will be useful to a broader group of readers who study, practice or work in the law or legal reform and apply their work to disasters.