Voluntary manslaughter is a type of criminal offence that involves the intentional killing of another person, but with mitigating circumstances that reduce the culpability of the offender. It is generally considered to be a less serious crime than murder, which involves an intentional killing without any mitigating circumstances. There are different types of voluntary manslaughter that are recognised under the law, including:
Loss of self-control: This occurs when a person kills someone in the heat of the moment, due to a sudden and extreme provocation that causes them to lose control. The provocation must be such that it would cause a reasonable person to lose self-control and act impulsively.
Diminished responsibility : This occurs when a person kills someone due to a mental impairment or illness that affects their ability to understand the nature and consequences of their actions. This defence is usually available when the defendant can show that they were suffering from a recognised mental disorder at the time of the killing.
Suicide pact: This occurs when a person assists another person in committing suicide, but the act goes wrong and the person dies. This defence is not available in all jurisdictions, and the defendant must show that they acted out of compassion and not for personal gain.
You can learn more about this topic and relevant case law with our Criminal Law notes.
