Murder / Manslaughter offences
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Murder is committed where a person of sound mind unlawfully kills another with intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.
Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of another without intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.
Defences
Self-defence, loss of control, and diminished responsibility will reduce the offence of murder to manslaughter. Defences to murder / manslaughter can also be factual i.e. denying involvement.
Sentencing
Murder
A mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. The term of imprisonment ranges from 15 years to a whole life order.
Manslaughter
The maximum sentence a judge can impose for manslaughter is life imprisonment, however, unlike murder, it is not mandatory.
If you are being investigated or prosecuted for an offence of murder or manslaughter, please get in touch with our specialist team.