 Partners who murder their exes after a break-up will face longer sentences with new proposed domestic violence reforms. If they are passed by Parliament, courts will consider murdering an ex-partner an aggrevating factor in sentencing. The recommendations, announced by justice secretary Alex Chalk KC on Thursday, will also consider whether people convicted of lashing out were abused. If they did face domestic abuse, including campaigns of controlling and coercive behaviour, this will be seen as a mitigating factor and victims will get lower sentences. The Government commissioned an independent review into domestic homicide sentencing in 2021 and Clare Wade KC made her suggestions in a report published on March 17 this year. Along with the additional measures suggested this week, ministers are also set to ask the Law Commission to to review the use of defences in domestic homicide cases. This will include the partial defences of 'loss of control' and 'diminished responsibility'. Lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice Alex Chalk KC announced the reforms (Picture: Shutterstock) 'Loss of control' is often used to try and reduce a charge from murder to manslaughter. It is a complicated defence and the details of it would change with each case but, in the context of domestic violence, it is usually argued by proving the defendant had a 'serious fear of violence' from the person they commited a crime against. Reforming 'diminished responsibility' will broadly mean asking the court to take into account whether a defendant has suffered mental health problems because of domestic abuse. Essentially, this review will be looking at whether the law adequately considers circumstances where a victim of domestic abuse acts in self-defence. Justice secretary Alex Chalk KC said: 'Cowards who murder their partners should face the full force of the law. 'Our reforms will give judges the power){kind=link}
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Partners who murder their exes after a break-up will face longer sentences with new proposed domestic violence reforms.
If they are passed by Parliament, courts will consider murdering an ex-partner an aggrevating factor in sentencing.
The recommendations, announced by justice secretary Alex Chalk KC on Thursday, will also consider whether people convicted of lashing out were abused.
If they did face domestic abuse, including campaigns of controlling and coercive behaviour, this will be seen as a mitigating factor and victims will get lower sentences.