The Guardian has reported that Sports Direct chief executive David Forsey, along with a USC administrator, have been charged with a criminal offence following the collapse of fashion retailer USC and the consequential redundancies affecting over 80 staff. The charge relates to an alleged breach of Ss.193 and 194 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, i.e. failure to notify the BIS of collective redundancies at least 30 days before the first dismissal took place, where the maximum penalty for the offence is £5,000. Both pleaded not guilty at an initial hearing and the full trial is scheduled for March 2016. The Guardian has also reported that three former directors of City Link have been charged with the same criminal offence in relation to the collapse of the delivery company, which led to the loss of 3,000 jobs. The Guardian comment that the legal actions appear to mark a new approach to criminal proceedings against directors of companies that have gone bust and comes after the Government has been forced to pay out millions in compensatory payments to staff made redundant without proper consultation. 

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