Its 82-page paper, 'Homicide law: a call for evidence' published last week, splits the review into three strands—elements and definitions of homicide offences including ‘mercy’ and consensual killing, full and partial defences, and the sentencing framework for murder.
It covers the role of the defence of duress, self-defence and other defences for domestic abuse victims who kill their abusers. Views are also invited on the controversial law of joint enterprise liability, where multiple people may be convicted as ‘principal’ and ‘accomplice’ actors in the homicide, and on the fault element of murder (intention), reckless manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter and other homicide offences.
The Commission is keen to receive personal accounts, academic writing, reports, studies, case law and any other material those with experience in the area consider relevant.
The review will not cover issues concerning any forthcoming legislation on assisted dying nor offences relating to the causing of harm to a fetus.
Commissioner for Criminal Law, Professor Penney Lewis, said: ‘We are pleased to launch this important work on the law of homicide by seeking evidence about how the law operates from anyone who is or has been affected by it, whether personally or professionally.
‘We will use the evidence we receive to shape the scope and direction of the project.’
Please email homicide@lawcommission.gov.uk by 31 October 2025.
