Criminal law
Murder vs manslaughter
Murder is the unlawful killing of a person with intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm; manslaughter is an unlawful killing without that intent, or a murder reduced by a partial defence. The key differences are the mental element (mens rea) and the sentence.
Last reviewed 14 June 2026
| Aspect | Murder | Manslaughter |
|---|---|---|
| Mental element | Intent to kill or cause GBH (malice aforethought) | No intent to kill/GBH (involuntary), or intent reduced by a partial defence (voluntary) |
| Sentence | Mandatory life imprisonment | Discretionary — up to life, at the judge's discretion |
| Sub-types | A single offence | Voluntary (loss of control, diminished responsibility) and involuntary (unlawful-act, gross-negligence) |
| Role of partial defences | If a partial defence succeeds, murder becomes voluntary manslaughter | The partial defences reduce murder to manslaughter; they do not apply to manslaughter itself |
Key cases
- R v Vickers [1957] 2 QB 664
- R v Cunningham [1982] AC 566
- R v Adomako [1995] 1 AC 171
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between murder and manslaughter?
The mens rea: murder requires an intent to kill or cause GBH, whereas manslaughter is an unlawful killing without that intent, or a murder reduced by a partial defence.
Is the sentence different for murder and manslaughter?
Yes. Murder carries a mandatory life sentence; manslaughter sentencing is at the judge's discretion, up to life imprisonment.