Expert Murder & Manslaughter Lawyers

Leading law firm specialising in defending allegations of murder and manslaughter

For anyone facing an allegation of murder (or manslaughter) their choice of defence team will be one of the biggest decisions they ever make. And, if a suspect is in custody, guidance from family or friends may be required. And, because murder investigations and prosecutions move quickly, it is important to get the right team in place as quickly as possible. That team must have a proven track record in acting in the most serious cases.

Established in the 1980s, Olliers has represented clients in over 100 murder trials and numerous complex investigations, consistently achieving outstanding results. Few, if any firms in the country can match our level of experience in the defence of serious crime allegations.

We have a team of 27 solicitors all criminal defence solicitors, many are rated as ‘Leaders in their Field’. Olliers is ranked as a top tier law firm by both the authoritative guides to the legal profession, namely the Legal 500 2026 and Chambers Guide 2026. We are a Times Best Law Firm 2026. We are the 2025 Manchester Legal Awards Crime Team of the Year, an award we have won for the past three years and eight times since 2011.

We are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year and we provide nationwide coverage.

We have many successful murder and manslaughter case studies.

Who deals with serious crime cases at Olliers?

Matthew Corn heads up Olliers’ serious crime department. Matt has over 25 years’ experience of defending allegations of murder and manslaughter. Managing Director Matthew Claughton has in excess of 35 years of experience representing individuals charged with serious criminal allegations. Matthew Claughton is ranked as a Leading Individual by the Legal 500 and the 2023 Northern Powerhouse Criminal Lawyer of the Year. He is the only lawyer to win the Manchester Legal Awards Partner of the Year award twice.

They are assisted by experienced practitioners in the field who undertake their own serious crime cases including Alex Close-Claughton who is a Senior Associate.

The definition of murder

In simple terms the offence of murder is committed, where a (sane) person unlawfully kills (not self-defence or other justified killing) another person intending to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.

There may be other causes of death but the act in question must be a ‘substantial’ cause.

There are three exceptions (see below) which amount to partial defences to murder, resulting in a conviction for manslaughter.

The definition of manslaughter

Manslaughter can be committed in one of three ways:

‘Voluntary’ manslaughter

Killing with an intent for murder but where one of the three partial defences applies, namely loss of control, diminished responsibility, or ‘suicide pact’.

‘Involuntary’ manslaughter

“Gross negligence manslaughter”, namely conduct that was grossly negligent given the risk of death, and which caused death; and
“Unlawful and dangerous act manslaughter” which involves an unlawful act involving a danger of harm that resulted in death

Diminished Responsibility

For diminished responsibility to succeed as a defence, it must be established that (i) the defendant was suffering from an ‘abnormality of mental functioning’ (ii) which had arisen from a recognised medical condition, and (iii) that it had ‘substantially impaired the defendant’s ability either to ‘understand the nature of their conduct or to form a rational judgment or to exercise self-control (or any combination)’ and (iv) it provided an explanation for their conduct.

This is a complex area of law.

The onus is on the defence to establish diminished responsibility and the starting point is expert evidence in support, at Olliers, we have considerable experience in this area.

Loss of Control

For loss of control to succeed as a defence there must be (i) a loss of control, (ii) a ‘qualifying trigger’ and (iii) it there must be evidence that a ‘person of the defendant’s sex and age, with normal levels of tolerance and self-restraint and in the same circumstances, might have reacted in the same or in a similar way.

Suicide Pact

Where a person, acting in pursuance of a suicide pact between themselves and another, kills the other or is a party to the other being killed by a third person, that person is guilty of manslaughter and not murder. Here the defendant must show there was in fact a suicide pact, and the killing was in pursuance of it and the defendant also had a settled intention of dying as part of the same suicide pact.

Complete defences to an allegation of murder

There are four complete defences to an allegation of murder. In short they are ‘self-defence’, ‘automatism’, ‘insanity’ and ‘mistake’.

These defences are not to be confused with cases where a suspect denies any level of involvement in the death, in which case other evidential issues are relevant.

Attempted murder

Whereas with an offence of murder the defendant must have intended to cause death or grievous bodily harm, for an offence of attempted murder, there must be an intent to kill.

Watch Head of Serious Crime, Matthew Corn, talk through Olliers expertise in Murder & Manslaughter cases:

Read Video Transcript

Well to be guilty of murder, the offence of murder, you have to have intended to cause really serious harm or to kill the victim. Manslaughter is different. In the case of manslaughter, whilst you may be responsible for the person’s death, you may have caused their death, but you didn’t intend to do so. Probably the best example I can give would be fights in a pub where for example if you’ve intended to repeatedly punch somebody in the head and then they die and you’ve intended that they die or that they suffer really serious harm, you would be guilty of murder. However, if there was a fight where you acted unlawfully, in that you were the aggressor but that you didn’t intend to cause that person really serious harm and after that fight that person sadly died, you would be guilty of manslaughter.

In relation to murder, the defences that that are available would be for example: alibi, in other words I wasn’t there, I have witnesses that will say that I was somewhere else. That would be an easy defence to run if it was accurate. Secondly, it might be self-defence, and again that’s commonly used where you’ve acted proportionately or reasonable and used sufficient force to defend yourself or somebody else who’s being attacked by the person that ends up dying. There may also be a defence of causation, in other words I did not cause that person’s death, there was an intervening act which caused the death and therefore my actions did not bring about the death of this person. There may be psychiatric or psychological issues that affected your mental state for example you may be running the defence of diminished responsibility where you were suffering from an abnormality of mind which meant that you couldn’t possibly have formed the necessary intent to be guilty of murder. Finally, there may also be the defence of loss of control which replaced the old defence of provocation but that’s quite uncommon in murder cases in my experience.

In murder cases looking first of all at what defence evidence might be necessary to assist your defence, of course if you’re running alibi it’s very important that there is evidence to support the fact that you were somewhere else at the time of the alleged offence. There may also be a need for an expert to comment on the issue of, for example, causation, and an expert to support your case that your actions didn’t cause this person’s death. There may also, for example, that you’re running diminished responsibility there would have to be psychiatric or psychological medical evidence to show that you were suffering from an abnormality of mind. From the prosecution’s point of view however, the evidence that would commonly arise in those sorts of cases, of course firstly, there may be an eyewitness to the incident of course that would be powerful evidence for the prosecution to use, but in absence of an eyewitness you may well have telephone evidence. For example, they may seek to attribute a phone to you which they say is integral in the carrying out of the murder, for example it may have made contact which puts you in a particular place and they can then establish what we call cell site analysis of your phone to say well if you were carrying that phone the cell site data proves that you were in this particular place or location at the time of the murder. There may be scientific or forensic evidence that the prosecution rely on, for example, DNA, fingerprints and the like, gunshot residue if it’s a firearms case, those sorts of evidence pieces of evidence. There may also be ANPR, everybody sees the cameras around those cameras take photographs of number plates, if you’re in a car at the material time that prosecution may seek to use that sort of evidence as well. There may be CCTV of an incident, people will see CTTV cameras wherever they go in big cities these days and that evidence is often commonly used as well. So those are the general areas of evidence that might be used in in these types of case.

Well joint Enterprise is quite a complex area of law and often the prosecution will rely on murder cases by region of joint enterprise where there are one or more defendants. Probably the best way to explain how the law works in this regard is to give an example, and I would say the probably the easiest example to explain might be where you have a number of individuals that are charged with murder, for example, a gang or a group of people that attack one particular individual the victim you might only have one member of that group who stabs this person, or who shoots this person, but the other members of the group can also sometimes be guilty of murder on the basis of joint enterprise, if they participated in that incident and that they shared the same intention of the assailant. So for example, if you’ve encouraged or you’ve urged that person to go ahead and stab that person, or shoot that person, then you would be guilty of murder by reason of joint enterprise on the basis that you have the same intention as the actual assailant. If the prosecution can show that you either encouraged the assailant or that you participated and that you shared the same intention as the assailant, then you could be guilty of murder. Of course, the prosecution has to prove that you’re guilty based on joint enterprise and if you simply didn’t have that intention if, for example, you didn’t know what was going to happen, you certainly didn’t encourage the assailant, you may have thought that this person was going to be harmed but perhaps not seriously, but nonetheless you are part of that group then you may not be guilty of murder but you may still be guilty of manslaughter. So it’s quite a complex area, hence the need to instruct specialist lawyers.

Conspiracy to murder is simply an agreement between individuals to murder somebody or to cause somebody really serious harm or to kill someone. The key word is agreement, a conspiracy is in agreement, so it’s different people agreeing to do different things but with the same end. In relation to a conspiracy to murder, the situation may be that somebody has organized a hit, or an assassination, or a murder of somebody and has instructed other people to carry out different roles within that plot, for example, they may be the driver, they may be the person that acquires the firearm, they may be the person that provides the knife, but the key issue is an agreement and it doesn’t matter if the victim is killed or not, as long as there is an agreement which is a serious plan which all parties were party to and privy to then they can be guilty of a conspiracy to murder. Obviously in some cases people are murdered and they charge it as a conspiracy rather than just as a murder, but the key word is an agreement – can the prosecution prove that there’s an agreement between the parties.

Well in relation to murder there is only one sentence which is a mandatory life imprisonment, however, that doesn’t necessarily mean a full life term. There are occasions in really serious cases, and those are usually reported in the in the media, where somebody is sentenced to a full life term. It might be for example where somebody has murdered a police officer, or it might be where somebody’s murdered a child, or there’s been particularly horrific circumstances to the murder, a serial killer, somebody that is so dangerous that only a full life term is appropriate. But what it means in in most murder cases is that the judge will say life imprisonment and then he will fix a minimum term, which is essentially the term of imprisonment that must be served before the parole board can at least consider release. Thereafter, if the parole board does allow release, then you are unlicensed for life. In other words, if you ever commit another offence, you could be recalled on that license and sent back to prison for the remainder of the term. Probably the best examples are in relation to murders that involve the use of a firearm, for example, in a murder that involved the use of a firearm, the starting point is one of 30 years. The judge will pass sentence and say that this person will serve a minimum of 30 years. It’s not like other offences where you might serve half of that offence or two-thirds of that offence, you must serve the full 30 years before you can be considered for parole. Obviously some murder cases are not regarded quite so seriously by the courts, for example, if there are no weapons used then the starting point will be considerably less than that and could be between 15 and 20 years, depending on the circumstances of the offence. But in short it’s a life sentence.

Ollies have a great deal of expertise and of course experience in representing people charged with this most serious of offences. We deal with people at a time where they are extremely vulnerable. If you are charged with this grave offence, that the likelihood is that you are in custody on remand, you may feel extremely anxious, you may be extremely worried about what the evidence is, you may be worried, of course, about how to get through the trial, you may be worried, of course about the outcome. In particular, we at Olliers pride ourselves in client care. That is to say we attend upon our clients on a very regular basis, we visit them we take their instructions in full, we listen to what they have to say, we listen to their fears, their concerns, their worries and we listen to the instructions and the detail that they provide which is integral for their defence. Possibly the most important aspect of Defending somebody in a murder case, aside from the client care, is preparing a very detailed defence statement, which of course sets out in detail what your defence is and it also seeks to challenge what the prosecution are alleging against you. So here at Ollie’s we’re all about the client, we’re all about providing the best possible client focus, the best possible client care and of course our aim is to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common issues in murder/manslaughter cases:

Murder cases can vary greatly, from a ‘one-on-one’ fight where tragically the victim dies, to an organised gangland execution, or a group incident where all participants (whether administering the fatal injury or not) are charged as part of a joint enterprise.

Olliers has dealt with many types of murder cases. Some murder cases end up as manslaughter, other cases are charged as manslaughter.

At Olliers we undertake a thorough analysis of the evidence and consider all issues pertinent to each case. Remember it is for the prosecution to prove the case. The types of evidence relied on will vary in complexity depending on the type of case.

Where there are eye-witnesses to the incident they will invariably be interviewed and where possible relied on by the prosecution. Additionally, the prosecution may obtain CCTV, telephone records, cell site analysis, ANPR evidence of vehicle movement, or forensic evidence in the form of DNA, fingerprints, or gunpowder residue. It may be necessary for us to instruct an approved expert in one of the above fields in order to comment on, check and sometimes challenge the assertions.

Intention

To be guilty of murder the prosecution has to prove not only that a person committed or participated in the act alleged but also that they intended to kill or to cause really serious harm to the victim. It is less common for a person to be charged from the outset with manslaughter although this can happen where it is alleged that the accused person is responsible for the victim’s death but did not intend to kill that person or to cause them really serious harm.

Psychiatric/psychological issues

In some cases, an accused person may accept responsibility for the victim’s death but denies the requisite intent to kill or cause really serious harm and pleads guilty to manslaughter. Such a case may involve an exploration of the accused’s mental state at the time of the offence which requires the instruction of a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess the accused.

Self-defence

Sometimes, manslaughter is the verdict of the jury in a trial as an alternative to murder, where for example they are sure that the accused person caused the death of the victim or was responsible for it, but they were not sure that he or she intended to kill or to cause really serious harm. On other occasions, the issue may be much more straightforward. The defence case might be one of self-defence where the accused acted in a proportionate and reasonable way in defending himself or another.

Causation

There may also be issues of causation. For example was it the accused person’s actions which caused the victim to die or was there another intervening act.

Alibi

The accused may in fact simply be disputing that he was even present at all at the scene of the incident. He may have an alibi.

Joint Enterprise

A more complex issue concerns ‘Joint enterprise’ where the accused person is said to have been part of a group activity where his actions may have simply been to encourage others to commit the act of murder. The prosecution would have to prove that even though he may not have been the assailant, he shared the same intention of killing or causing really serious harm to the victim.

Conspiracy to murder

In a so-called ‘gangland’ type murder, the accused need not be the person who ‘pulled the trigger’, he might have lured the victim to his death, he may be the getaway driver, he may have supplied the gun knowing its intended use, he may have planned it, organised it or ordered the ‘hit’.

Click here to read more about conspiracy to murder.

Sentencing in murder cases

For any adult convicted of murder, it carries a mandatory life sentence that will have a minimum fixed term attached to it. This is the period of time that must be served before being eligible for parole. Upon release, the person remains on licence for the remainder of their life.

Assisting an Offender

Assisting an offender involves carrying out an act with the intention of preventing another person from being arrested or prosecuted, with the knowledge or belief that said person has committed a ‘relevant offence.’ In the context of assisting an offender a relevant offence is any offence that can be punishable by more than five years in prison and commonly includes murder. It requires another offence to have been committed and acts that could otherwise be considered perfectly innocent (in the absence of the underlying offence) become illegal and punishable by a prison sentence.

Examples of assisting an offender can include:

Washing the clothes of that person to remove evidence
Allowing them to hide in their house/garden/shed/car
Giving them a lift to the airport/ train station/ taxi rank
Hiding or disposing of a weapon for them
Disposing of a vehicle linked to the offence on their behalf

Instructing Olliers to act in relation to a murder allegation

If you are wanted for questioning in relation to an allegation of murder, please contact us immediately. If someone you know has been arrested or charged in relation to a murder allegation, the sooner you contact us the better. If they are in custody at a police station we will make immediate contact. If they are already charged, we can act and if another legal team is already in place we can consider whether it is in their best interests to instruct Olliers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal definition of murder?

Murder is a common law offence meaning it derives from centuries of case law rather than a single statute. In legal terms, it is the unlawful killing of a human being ‘under the King’s peace’ with ‘malice aforethought.’ The critical element is intent: the prosecution must prove you intended to kill or to cause grievous bodily harm (often called ‘really serious harm’). Importantly, if you intended serious harm but not death, and the victim dies, you can still be convicted of murder. The mandatory sentence for murder is life imprisonment, making early expert legal advice essential.

What is the difference between murder and manslaughter?

The fundamental distinction is intent. Murder requires proof that the defendant intended to kill or cause grievous bodily harm. Manslaughter covers situations where death occurs but that specific intent is absent. This distinction has profound consequences: murder carries a mandatory life sentence, while manslaughter allows the judge discretion in sentencing ranging from a suspended sentence in some cases to life imprisonment in the most serious. Manslaughter can arise in two ways: ‘voluntary’ manslaughter, where a killing that would otherwise be murder is reduced because of diminished responsibility, loss of control, or a suicide pact; and ‘involuntary’ manslaughter, which includes unlawful act manslaughter (a dangerous criminal act causing death) and gross negligence manslaughter (a breach of duty so serious it becomes criminal). Understanding which category applies is crucial to building an effective defence strategy.

What are the different types of manslaughter?

English law recognises three main categories. Voluntary manslaughter occurs when all the elements of murder are present, but a partial defence applies, either diminished responsibility (under section 52 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009), loss of control (sections 54-55 of the same Act), or involvement in a suicide pact. Unlawful act manslaughter (sometimes called constructive manslaughter) requires proof of an unlawful act that was objectively dangerous and caused death, for example, a single punch in a confrontation that leads to a fatal fall. Gross negligence manslaughter applies where someone owed a duty of care, breached it in a way that was grossly negligent given the risk of death, and that breach caused death, commonly seen in cases involving medical professionals, employers, or landlords. Each type requires a different defence approach, and the sentencing implications vary significantly.

What does diminished responsibility mean?

Diminished responsibility is a partial defence under section 52 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. To succeed, the defence must establish four elements: that the defendant was suffering from an abnormality of mental functioning; that this arose from a recognised medical condition (such as severe depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, or certain personality disorders); that it substantially impaired their ability to understand their conduct, form rational judgment, or exercise self-control; and that it provides an explanation for the killing. Unlike most defences, the burden of proof falls on the defence to prove this on the balance of probabilities. Expert psychiatric evidence is essential. At Olliers, we work with leading forensic psychiatrists and have considerable experience presenting diminished responsibility cases to juries in a way that is both legally correct and genuinely understood.

What is loss of control?

Loss of control replaced the old defence of provocation under sections 54-55 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. Three elements must be satisfied: the defendant must have genuinely lost self-control; there must be a ‘qualifying trigger’, either fear of serious violence from the victim, or circumstances of an extremely grave character that caused the defendant to have a justifiable sense of being seriously wronged; and a person of the defendant’s age and sex, with a normal degree of tolerance and self-restraint, might have reacted in the same or similar way. Importantly, sexual infidelity alone cannot constitute a qualifying trigger, and the defence is unavailable if the defendant acted in a ‘considered desire for revenge.’ This is a nuanced area of law where the specific facts and how they are presented to the jury are critical.

I’ve been arrested or invited to a police interview. What should I do?

Request a solicitor immediately; this is your legal right under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). Do not answer any questions until you have received legal advice, even if you believe you have nothing to hide. What you say in interview can form a significant part of the prosecution case, and early missteps can be difficult to correct later. If you’ve been invited for a voluntary interview, you have more time to prepare, and instructing a specialist solicitor before attending is essential. At Olliers, we are available 24 hours a day and can attend police stations nationwide. We specialise in pre-charge engagement, working proactively with the police and CPS before any charging decision is made, which can sometimes prevent charges being brought at all or result in lesser charges. Early intervention in serious cases can shape the entire trajectory of a case.

What happens during a murder investigation?

Murder investigations are led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and typically involve multiple police teams. The initial phase focuses on scene preservation, forensic examination, and identifying witnesses. Police will seize and analyse phones, computers, and other digital devices. They will obtain CCTV from the area and use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to track vehicle movements. Cell site analysis may be used to place individuals at specific locations. Forensic evidence including DNA, fingerprints, blood patterns, and in firearms cases, gunshot residue – will be gathered and analysed. Witnesses will be interviewed and statements taken. If you are arrested, you will be interviewed under caution, usually multiple times over a period of hours or days. Following investigation, the file is sent to the Crown Prosecution Service, who decide whether to authorise charges. Throughout this process, having experienced legal representation is crucial. We work to identify weaknesses in the evidence, challenge unlawful procedures, and engage proactively with investigators and prosecutors.

Can I change my legal team or transfer legal aid on a murder case?

Yes, you can change your legal team, even after proceedings have begun. If you are privately funded, you can switch solicitors at any point. If your case is funded by legal aid, a transfer of legal aid can be granted where there has been a breakdown in the professional relationship or where there are other good reasons for the transfer. An application needs to be made to court who will consider the circumstances and the stage of proceedings. In murder cases, given the stakes involved, it is particularly important that you have complete confidence in your legal team. If you are considering instructing Olliers to take over your case, we can advise you on the transfer process, the likely timescales, and whether grounds for transfer exist. We have acted for numerous clients who transferred to us from other firms during the course of their case.

How long will a murder case take?

Murder cases typically take between 9 and 18 months from charge to trial, though complex cases involving multiple defendants, extensive forensic evidence, or contested legal issues can take longer. After charge, there will be preliminary hearings in the Crown Court, followed by a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH) where trial dates are set. The prosecution must serve their evidence within set timescales, and the defence will prepare a detailed response. Expert witnesses may need to be instructed and reports prepared. The trial itself, depending on complexity, commonly lasts 2 – 4 weeks for a single-defendant case, and longer for multi-handed trials. Throughout this period, if you are remanded in custody (as is usual in murder cases), we maintain regular contact and keep you informed at every stage. Early engagement with the evidence and proactive case-building can influence how the case develops.

Can I get bail if I’ve been charged with murder?

Bail in murder cases is extremely difficult but not impossible. Under Schedule 1 of the Bail Act 1976, there is a strong presumption against bail unless the court is of the opinion that there is no significant risk of the defendant committing, while on bail, an offence that would, or would be likely to, cause physical or mental injury to any person other than the defendant. Even without prior convictions, courts apply a high threshold given the seriousness of the charge. To grant bail, the court must be satisfied that there is no significant risk of the defendant failing to surrender, committing further offences, or interfering with witnesses. Factors that may support a bail application include a fixed address, strong community ties, willingness to comply with conditions (such as residence, curfew, electronic tagging, or surrender of passport), and evidence that weakens the prosecution case. We have successfully secured bail for clients charged with murder in appropriate cases, and we will always advise honestly on the realistic prospects.

What sentence could I receive for murder?

Murder carries a mandatory life sentence for adults. The judge sets a ‘minimum term’ (sometimes called the ‘tariff’) which is the period that must be served before the Parole Board can consider release. Schedule 21 of the Sentencing Act 2020 provides starting points: for murders involving a knife or other weapon taken to the scene, the starting point is 25 years; for murders involving firearms or explosives, 30 years; for murders with sexual or sadistic conduct, of multiple victims, or of children, 30 years; and for the most serious cases (such as murder of a police officer in the course of duty, or murder involving a terrorist connection), a whole life order may be imposed, meaning no release will ever be considered. Starting points are adjusted up or down based on aggravating factors (such as premeditation or previous convictions) and mitigating factors (such as mental disorder, provocation, or age). On release, the individual remainson licence for life and can be recalled to prison. For defendants under 18, different provisions apply under the youth sentencing framework.

Will I have a jury trial if charged with murder?

Yes. Murder is an ‘indictable-only’ offence, meaning it must be tried in the Crown Court; you cannot elect a Magistrates’ Court hearing. Trials are heard before a judge and a jury of 12 members of the public. The jury decides questions of fact (including whether you are guilty), while the judge directs points of law and, if there is a conviction, passes sentence. The trial process involves jury selection, opening speeches, presentation of prosecution evidence (with cross-examination by the defence), a potential submission of no case to answer, defence evidence if called, closing speeches, the judge’s summing up, and jury deliberation. Understanding this process and being thoroughly prepared for each stage is essential. At Olliers, we ensure our clients know exactly what to expect and work closely with leading barristers to present the strongest possible defence.

What evidence is typically used in murder cases?

Murder prosecutions rely on multiple evidence types, often in combination. Eyewitness testimony remains significant but is increasingly supplemented by CCTV and body-worn camera footage. Digital evidence is now central to most cases including mobile phone records, call data, text messages, WhatsApp and social media communications and internet search history. Cell site analysis can place a phone (and by inference, its user) at a particular location at a particular time. ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) tracks vehicle movements. Forensic evidence includes DNA (from blood, saliva, touch DNA), fingerprints, blood pattern analysis, and in firearms cases, gunshot residue. Expert witnesses may give evidence on pathology (cause of death), toxicology, ballistics, digital forensics, or psychiatry. Each evidence type has limitations and potential weaknesses. We routinely instruct defence experts to review and challenge prosecution evidence where appropriate.

What are complete defences to murder?

Complete defences, if successful, result in acquittal i.e. a ‘not guilty’ verdict. The main complete defences are: Self-defence (including defence of another), where reasonable force was used in response to an actual or honestly believed imminent threat; Automatism, where the defendant’s actions were involuntary due to an external factor (such as a blow to the head or an unexpected reaction to prescribed medication); and Insanity, where a disease of the mind meant the defendant did not know the nature and quality of their act, or did not know it was wrong. A defendant might also argue mistaken belief or dispute involvement entirely through alibi or challenging identification evidence. The distinction between complete and partial defences is crucial: partial defences reduce murder to manslaughter, while successful complete defences result in acquittal.

What is 'joint enterprise' in murder cases?

Joint enterprise is a doctrine of secondary liability that allows individuals to be convicted of murder even if they did not personally inflict the fatal injury. The law in this area was significantly clarified by the Supreme Court in R v Jogee[2016], which held that for secondary parties to be convicted of murder, they must have intended to assist or encourage the principal offender, and they must have intended that the principal would kill or cause grievous bodily harm (or at minimum, have had conditional intent, intending harm if certain circumstances arose). Merely foreseeing that violence might occur is not enough. This is a highly complex area of law, and joint enterprise cases are often heavily contested. Common issues include what the defendant knew, what they intended, and whether they had an opportunity to withdraw from the enterprise. We have defended numerous joint enterprise murder cases and understand the specific evidential and legal challenges they present.

Do you help before charge is considered?

Yes – in serious cases, the period between arrest and charge is often the most critical phase. Pre-charge engagement allows us to make representations to the police and Crown Prosecution Service before a charging decision is made.This can include challenging the evidence, identifying lines of enquiry the police should pursue, providing context the investigators may not have considered, and submitting expert evidence at an early stage. In some cases, effective pre-charge engagement results in no charges being brought at all, or in lesser charges being authorised. Olliers has a strong track record in pre-charge work, and we believe that proactive, strategic engagement at this stage can fundamentally shape the outcome of a case.

Why instruct Olliers for murder or manslaughter?

Olliers has represented clients in over 100 murder trials since the firm was established in the 1980s. Our serious crime department is led by Matthew Corn, who has over 25 years’ experience in murder and manslaughter defence, and Matthew Claughton, Managing Director, who has over 35 years’ experience and is ranked as a Leading Individual by the Legal 500. We are ranked as a top-tier firm by both the 2026 versions of the Legal 500 and Chambers Guide, are a Times Best Law Firm 2026 and were named Crime Team of the Year at the 2025 Manchester Legal Awards. Critically, we combine this expertise with genuine client care including regular visits to clients in custody, detailed preparation of defence statements, and thorough analysis of prosecution evidence. We work with leading barristers and forensic experts. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and provide nationwide coverage. For anyone facing a murder allegation, the choice of legal team is one of the most important decisions they will make.