Manslaughter Defence – Charlie Sherrard KC, Leading Manslaughter Barrister & KC Secure your defence Contact Charlie now

Manslaughter Barrister

Leading manslaughter barrister and KC specialising in voluntary and involuntary manslaughter defence. Charlie Sherrard KC provides expert representation in loss of control, diminished responsibility, and gross negligence cases. Strategic defence when facing life-changing allegations.

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Why instruct Charlie Sherrard KC for manslaughter defence?

Charlie Sherrard KC is a leading manslaughter barrister and manslaughter KC in the UK, with proven expertise defending both voluntary and involuntary manslaughter cases. When facing manslaughter allegations—whether loss of control, diminished responsibility, or gross negligence—you need a KC with deep experience in complex homicide defence. Charlie has defended manslaughter cases for decades, earning recognition as a Band 1 Crime Silk for 13 consecutive years and a reputation for meticulous case analysis and persuasive advocacy.

Mastery of partial defences

Charlie has extensive experience presenting loss of control and diminished responsibility defences, working closely with leading psychiatrists and psychologists to build compelling cases that reduce murder to manslaughter. His ability to present complex psychiatric evidence to juries has secured numerous successful outcomes.

Strategic navigation of involuntary manslaughter

From unlawful act manslaughter to gross negligence cases, Charlie understands the nuances of causation, duty of care, and criminal recklessness. His tactical approach challenges prosecution theories and exposes weaknesses in complex factual scenarios.

Cross-examination expertise in medical cases

Chambers UK describes Charlie’s cross-examination as “like missile strikes”—particularly devastating when challenging medical experts in gross negligence manslaughter cases. His ability to digest complex medical evidence and expose flaws in expert testimony has led to significant acquittals.

Proven track record in complex cases

Charlie has secured not-guilty verdicts and manslaughter convictions (instead of murder) in domestic violence cases, drug-related deaths, corporate manslaughter, and psychiatric defence cases. His success stems from thorough preparation, strategic thinking, and persuasive jury advocacy.

Client care in sensitive cases

Manslaughter cases often involve tragic circumstances, mental health issues, or corporate failures. Charlie’s empathetic, personable approach builds trust with clients facing devastating allegations while maintaining the rigorous advocacy needed to achieve results.

Areas of manslaughter expertise

Voluntary manslaughter

  • Loss of control – provocation, fear of serious violence, circumstances of extreme gravity
  • Diminished responsibility – abnormality of mental functioning, psychiatric defences, PTSD, depression
  • Suicide pact – rare but specialist defence requiring careful presentation

Involuntary manslaughter

  • Unlawful act manslaughter – dangerous act causing death, assault leading to fatality
  • Gross negligence manslaughter – breach of duty, medical negligence, corporate failures
  • Corporate manslaughter – health and safety breaches, systemic failures, director liability
  • Self-defence and excessive force – legitimate defence that goes too far
  • Accident and lack of intent – challenging prosecution case on causation and foreseeability
  • Intoxication – voluntary vs involuntary intoxication, impact on mens rea

Notable manslaughter cases

Charlie Sherrard KC has extensive experience in defending complex manslaughter prosecutions before the Crown Courts. This section includes examples of significant cases in this area and highlights the specialist knowledge Charlie brings to matters involving allegations of unlawful killing:

  • Domestic violence manslaughter – loss of control defences in coercive relationships
  • Drug-related deaths – supply of substances leading to fatal overdoses
  • Medical negligence cases – gross negligence manslaughter allegations against healthcare professionals
  • Corporate manslaughter – health and safety failures resulting in workplace deaths
  • Psychiatric defences – diminished responsibility cases involving complex mental health evidence
  • Child death cases – sensitive allegations involving parents and carers
  • Road traffic cases – causing death by dangerous driving reduced to manslaughter

Recognition and results

Band 1 Crime Silk – Chambers UK Bar Guide (13 consecutive years)
Leading Silk – Legal 500
Recorder of the Crown Court (appointed 2019)
Mental Health Restricted Patients Tribunal member

Chambers UK 2025: “Charles is the go-to barrister for the most serious offences and complex cases. He is an extremely safe pair of hands, a leader in every way and a really class act.”

Legal 500 2025: “Charlie is brilliant and clever. He has the command of the courtroom and is a quick thinker on his feet, able to digest a lot of heavy evidence very quickly. His advocacy style is easy for the jury to follow and direct.”

Why choose Charlie Sherrard KC as your manslaughter barrister?

When choosing a manslaughter barrister or manslaughter KC, expertise in both legal strategy and complex evidence is essential. Charlie’s sustained reputation as a leading manslaughter KC is built on meticulous preparation, strategic presentation of psychiatric and forensic evidence, and persuasive jury advocacy. Whether defending partial defences to reduce murder charges or challenging involuntary manslaughter allegations, Charlie delivers the expert representation needed when liberty is at stake.

Frequently asked questions about manslaughter defence

What is the difference between murder and manslaughter?
Murder requires proof of intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm. Manslaughter can be voluntary (where a partial defence like loss of control or diminished responsibility reduces murder to manslaughter) or involuntary (unlawful act manslaughter or gross negligence manslaughter). The distinction is crucial as murder carries a mandatory life sentence while manslaughter sentencing is at the judge's discretion, typically ranging from suspended sentences to life imprisonment depending on culpability.
What is loss of control and how is it proven?
Loss of control is a partial defence to murder that reduces the charge to manslaughter. It requires proving: (1) you lost self-control due to a qualifying trigger (fear of serious violence or circumstances of extreme gravity causing justifiable sense of being wronged), (2) a person of your sex and age with normal tolerance might have reacted similarly, and (3) the loss of control was sudden (though not necessarily immediate). Expert psychiatric evidence and careful presentation of the history between parties is crucial.
What is diminished responsibility?
Diminished responsibility is a partial defence to murder requiring proof of an abnormality of mental functioning arising from a recognised medical condition that substantially impaired your ability to: understand your conduct, form rational judgement, or exercise self-control. This requires detailed psychiatric and psychological evidence. Conditions can include depression, PTSD, personality disorders, or other mental health conditions. The defence provides an explanation for the killing based on the defendant's mental state.
What is unlawful act manslaughter?
Unlawful act manslaughter (also called constructive manslaughter) occurs when you commit an unlawful and dangerous act that causes death, even if you didn't intend to kill or cause serious harm. The unlawful act must be criminal (not just negligent), objectively dangerous (risking some physical harm), and must cause the death. Common examples include assaults that go fatally wrong, drug supply cases, or dangerous pranks that result in death.
What is gross negligence manslaughter?
Gross negligence manslaughter requires proof of: (1) a duty of care owed to the victim, (2) breach of that duty, (3) the breach caused death, and (4) the breach was so bad (grossly negligent) as to be criminal. This often arises in medical cases, workplace deaths, or situations where professionals or employers owe safety duties. The key question is whether the negligence was bad enough to be criminal rather than just civil negligence.
Can I be convicted of manslaughter if someone takes drugs voluntarily?
Yes. If you supply drugs to someone who then dies from overdose, you can be charged with unlawful act manslaughter if the act of supply was unlawful and dangerous. However, the prosecution must prove your act caused the death—difficult if the victim self-administered or if other factors contributed. Recent case law has narrowed these prosecutions, making expert defence representation crucial to challenge causation and foreseeability.
What sentence will I face if convicted of manslaughter?
Unlike murder (which carries mandatory life imprisonment), manslaughter sentencing is at the judge's discretion and depends on culpability and harm. Sentences range from suspended sentences or community orders in the lowest culpability cases to life imprisonment in the most serious. Typical ranges: loss of control (3-16 years), gross negligence (1-18 years), unlawful act (depends on dangerousness of act). Mitigating and aggravating factors significantly impact sentence.
Should I accept a manslaughter plea if charged with murder?
This is a critical strategic decision requiring careful advice from your KC. Accepting manslaughter avoids the mandatory life sentence of murder and may result in significantly lower sentencing. However, it means admitting unlawful killing. The decision depends on the strength of the Crown's case on intent, the availability of partial defences, forensic and psychiatric evidence, and realistic prospects of acquittal. Charlie advises clients carefully on this tactical decision.
How important is psychiatric evidence in manslaughter cases?
Crucial. For diminished responsibility cases, detailed psychiatric and psychological evidence is essential to prove the abnormality of mental functioning. For loss of control, expert evidence may support the qualifying triggers or explain the defendant's reactions. Charlie works closely with leading forensic psychiatrists and psychologists to build compelling expert evidence that can make the difference between murder and manslaughter convictions—or secure acquittal.

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