Legal Services

Murder & Manslaughter

No allegation is graver than the taking of a life. ASL mounts the meticulous, expert-led defence that the most serious charge in English law demands.

Speak to Murder & Manslaughter Defence Solicitor

When the charge is the gravest of all

A charge of murder, attempted murder or manslaughter carries the prospect of a life sentence. These cases turn on the finest details intent, causation, self-defence and the reliability of forensic evidence and they demand a defence team with the experience to match the gravity of the allegation.

ASL’s senior solicitors and higher-court advocates have defended homicide cases at the highest level. We instruct leading pathologists and forensic experts, scrutinise every strand of the prosecution case, and leave nothing to chance where your liberty is at stake.

“In a homicide case there is no margin for error. Every fact, every expert, every word in court must be right.”

Offences we regularly defend

Murder and attempted murder

Manslaughter, voluntary and involuntary

Joint enterprise and secondary liability

Causing or allowing the death of a person

How ASL defends your case

From the moment you are arrested we build a strategy around the real issues in the case, whether that is identity, intent, self-defence or the cause of death. We work alongside the country’s leading experts to challenge the prosecution’s forensic account.

Immediate senior representation at the police station

Instruction of independent pathology and forensic experts

In-house higher-court advocacy at trial

You will be represented by the same senior team from the police station to the verdict never handed down the line.

If you or someone you care about has been arrested or invited for a voluntary interview, do not answer questions until you have spoken to us. The earliest advice is the most valuable advice.

Speak to a defence solicitor now

Confidential, around the clock. The sooner we're involved, the more we can do.

07590 396168

Book a Consultation

Charges we defend

Murder & Manslaughter offences we cover

Homicide is the most serious charge in English law. We defend the complete spectrum of murder and manslaughter allegations and the partial defences that apply to them.

Murder

Common Law

Attempted murder

s.1 Criminal Attempts Act 1981

Voluntary manslaughter

Common Law (with partial defences under Coroners and Justice Act 2009)

Involuntary manslaughter

Common Law

Gross negligence manslaughter

Common Law (established in R v Adomako [1994])

Unlawful act (constructive) manslaughter

Common Law

Corporate manslaughter

s.1 Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007

Diminished responsibility

s.2 Homicide Act 1957 (as amended by s.52 Coroners and Justice Act 2009)

Loss of control

s.54–55 Coroners and Justice Act 2009

Encouraging or assisting murder

Serious Crime Act 2007

Causing death by dangerous driving

s.1 RTA 1988

Soliciting or conspiracy to murder

s.4 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 (soliciting); s.1 Criminal Law Act 1977 (conspiracy)

Threats to kill

s.16 OAPA 1861

Joint enterprise & secondary liability

Common Law / s.8 Accessories and Abettors Act 1861

Causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable adult

s.5 DVCVA 2004

This list is not exhaustive and is provided for general guidance only. If the charge you are facing is not shown here, we almost certainly defend it get in touch and we will tell you straight away.

Time matters

Arrested? Get advice before you say a word.

Our 24/7 line connects you to a criminal defence solicitor who will attend your police station, anywhere in the country.

Book a Consultation

24/7 Legal Help Line