Excessive self-defence cannot reduce murder to manslaughter in English law

Necessity cannot justify murder even in desperate survival situations

Unlawful act manslaughter requires no foresight of harm by defendant

A foetus is not a person in being; murder requires the victim to be born and have independent existence.

House of Lords establishes 'virtual certainty' test for oblique intention in murder

Wounding requires breaking of both skin layers, not merely internal bleeding or bruising.

Medical negligence rarely breaks chain of causation in homicide cases

Defendant liable for death caused by police response to his criminal actions

Intention to cause grievous bodily harm sufficient for murder conviction

Foresight of highly probable serious harm can constitute mens rea for murder.

Crown immunity protects MoD from vicarious liability for acts causing death/injury to servicemen.

A person intends the natural and probable consequences of their acts.

Court establishes objective test for dangerous unlawful act in manslaughter cases

Criminal liability established for murder by omission where duty to act exists

Palpably wrong medical treatment can break the chain of causation.

Court of Appeal establishes 'virtual certainty' test for criminal intention

House of Lords sets definitive test for gross negligence manslaughter

House of Lords allows withdrawal of life support from vegetative patient

Unreasonable victim reaction can break causation if unforeseeable and unreasonable.

House of Lords clarifies test for intention in murder cases

Defendant's failed poisoning attempt breaks causation chain despite victim's death

House of Lords rules duress cannot excuse murder or attempted murder

Emergency rescues justify higher risk-taking than normal circumstances.

Consent no defence to serious harm in sadomasochistic sexual activities

Life prisoners entitled to reasons for tariff decisions under natural justice principles.

Court may grant declaratory relief concerning prerogative of mercy despite no power to compel pardon

Gross negligence manslaughter requires negligence so gross it amounts to crime