Loss of control

Loss of Control (LC)

A partial defense in murder cases where the defendant can claim a loss of self-control from a qualifying trigger, leading to voluntary manslaughter instead of a mandatory life sentence.

Qualifying Trigger

Fear or anger that causes a justifiable sense of being seriously wronged, as defined in sections 55(3) and 55(4) of the Coroners & Justice Act 2009.

Loss of Self-Control

When the defendant is not in control of their own mind, going beyond just being unable to think straight, as explained in section 54(2) of the Act.

Objective Test

The requirement for the defendant to satisfy a standard where a person of the same age, sex, and circumstances, with a normal degree of tolerance and self-restraint, would have reacted the same, according to section 54(1) of the Act.