Homicide: Murder, manslaughter, infanticide and causing or allowing the death or serious injury of a child or vulnerable adult
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This prosecution guidance outlines the law related to homicide offences, specifically murder, manslaughter, and related charges. It provides prosecutors with guidance on how to handle various aspects of homicide cases, including procedural considerations, evidential requirements, and public interest factors. The guidance emphasizes the importance of understanding the severity of these offences, offering pathways for alternative charges and considerations in cases involving vulnerable victims.
Key points
- Prosecutors must outline relevant law for homicide offences.
- Guidance on considering alternative counts of manslaughter is provided.
- Cases involving suicide need careful legal assessment regarding charges.
- Procedural steps for handling cases where death of vulnerable adults or children is involved are outlined.
- Public interest in prosecuting homicide cases is highlighted.
Public-interest factors
- High harm and culpability due to the seriousness of the offence.
- Mandatory life sentence for murder indicates strong public interest in prosecution.
- Victims under 18 or lacking mental capacity heighten the need for prosecution in mercy killing cases.
- Evidence of coercion or control over the victim suggests significant public interest against the suspect.
- Cases involving unlawful acts preceding a death warrant serious consideration for prosecution.
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.