Six individuals, Network Rail and Balfour Beatty have been charged with manslaughter over the Hatfield train crash.
Six others, including former Railtrack boss Gerald Corbett, now chairman of Woolworths, have also been charged with offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
If found guilty, the six charged with gross negligence and manslaughter could face life imprisonment and the two firms could receive an unlimited fine.
BBC News | Criminal charges over Hatfield crash