If you are facing an allegation of murder or manslaughter then you should seek legal advice immediately and ideally before disclosing any information to the police or entering a plea at court.
We have defended many murder/manslaughter cases over the years and the key to success is meticulous preparation. Cases of this seriousness generate a huge volume of work so we put together a defence team which will usually consist of a senior and a junior barrister, a senior solicitor and a case worker. They will work together with you to prepare your case thoroughly for trial.
We understand how traumatic these cases can be for both the person accused and their family, particularly as the person accused is invariably held in prison until the trial. We promise to do everything we can to achieve the best possible result and to keep you, and if you wish your family updated on the progress of the case throughout.
Cases of this seriousness invariably involved the use of expert witnesses in such fields as DNA, forensics, ballistics etc and we work with the very best of these experts.
Murder
The legal definition of murder is when a person of sound mind unlawfully kills another person with the intention to either kill them or cause them grievous bodily harm. If convicted of murder a mandatory life sentence will be imposed.
Attempted murder
An offence of attempted murder is committed where a person formed the intention to kill and took steps towards committing the act that went beyond being merely preparatory.
Voluntary manslaughter
An intention to kill but there are factors such as diminished responsibility, loss of control or suicide pact, that reduce the seriousness down from murder to manslaughter.
Involuntary manslaughter
Where a person acted in a way that was so grossly negligent that it led to someone’s death or where they committed an unlawful act which a reasonable person would realise would create a risk of personal harm. Often a charge of murder will be brought but the jury are then given the option of finding the defendant guilty of manslaughter in the alternative.
Corporate manslaughter/Gross negligence manslaughter
A charge of this kind will usually only be brought where the defendant is a director of a company and has committed an offence under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.