Loss of Control Reform Network

In 2009, the ‘loss of control’ defence replaced the outdated ‘provocation’ defence in murder cases to better support women who kill abusive partners and to prevent excuses for male violence due to infidelity or ‘nagging’. However, our analysis of appeal cases shows that the new defence still often favours men and fails to adequately address domestic and sexual abuse against women. The Law Commission is currently reviewing homicide law, providing a timely opportunity to influence reform.

We are partnering with the Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ), a charity dedicated to combating male violence against women and girls through legal action and advocacy. CWJ’s extensive experience and strategic litigation efforts make them a valuable collaborator in this project. Our project will establish an interdisciplinary network of practitioners, academics, and third-sector organisations to share knowledge and experiences. We will also create an animation video to explain the ‘loss of control’ defence and its implications, making the information accessible to the public, and produce a policy brief to influence policymakers and support the Law Commission’s review. Additionally, we will explore opportunities for future research collaborations with CWJ to further enhance the impact of our work.

Project aims

The project aims to foster a national debate on reforming the ‘loss of control’ defence, ensuring it better serves victims of domestic abuse. By raising public awareness, influencing policymakers, and establishing a collaborative network, the project seeks to drive meaningful legal and policy changes that address systemic issues in domestic homicide cases.

Publications and outputs

Carline, A., Gibson, M., Singh, S. and Soubise, L. (2024) Civilising Loss of Control? The Role of Criminal Justice Gatekeepers. Legal Studies. 44(4): 612–30.