Homicide Act 1957

Homicide Act 1957

The Homicide Act 1957 (5 & 6 Eliz.2 c.11) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was enacted as a partial reform of the common law offence of murder in English law by abolishing the doctrine of constructive malice (except in limited circumstances), reforming the partial defence of provocation, and by introducing the partial defences of diminished responsibility and suicide pact. It restricted the use of the death penalty for murder.

Similar provisions to Part I of this Act was enacted for Northern Ireland by Part II of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1966.

Read more about Homicide Act 1957:  History, Part II – Liability To The Death Penalty, Part III – Form and Execution of The Death Sentence in England and Wales, Part IV – Application To, and Special Provisions For, Scotland

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