Murder Defence Solicitors
If you are being investigated or prosecuted in a case which involves a death, you could face one of the most serious charges in the UK. We have the experience and knowledge to help provide legal advice and help to support you.
Homicide offences include murder, manslaughter or corporate manslaughter. These situations can occur in a wide range of ways from so-called gang murders to a drunken fight that went wrong, from a premeditated deliberate killing by an individual to a series of errors by a company or organisations that resulted in someone’s death.
It is essential when navigating your way through the police station, preparation for trial and/or experiencing court proceedings that you have the benefit of skilled, experienced and specialist legal representation.
Our Crime team have been ranked in the Chambers & Partners 2025 legal directory. The team was praised for being “committed to their clients and delivering an excellent service.”
“Hodge Jones & Allen importantly present a human face to its clients at what is a very frightening time in their clients’ lives. The team members have a strong knowledge of their area, but if they need clarification they will seek it rather than bluff. There is a strong emphasis on teamwork, with strength in depth.” – Legal 500, 2025
Contact our specialist crime team today on
0330 822 3451request a call back.
Why Choose Hodge Jones & Allen?
Our team is uniquely placed to offer specialist representation. Cases are conducted by Lawyers who between them have decades of experience. These cases can be won or lost at the police station and our police station representation is staffed by experienced and robust representatives.
Murder cases place a huge strain on defendants and their families. By ethos, culture and training, our team places a premium on building a good rapport with both our client and their family. We are acutely aware that the client needs to have trust and confidence in their lawyer, and that only by ensuring the client is at the heart of the case can the best results be achieved.
It is essential that cases involving young people and children have access to specialist Lawyers from our Youth Team who have additional training in and experience of the challenge of representing young people.
On many occasions, clients will have particular vulnerabilities or mental health difficulties that affect how the case progresses through the Criminal Justice System. We have dedicated Lawyers that deal with these situations and work in partnership with leading psychiatrists, psychologists and other educational experts.
Over the last 40 years, we have dealt with gang related murders investigated by police forces across the country or by Operation Trident. We have proactively sought to challenge prosecution evidence about gangs, be it through the gang matrix, through issues in individual cases such as telephone evidence, association charts or even drill music.
Forensic evidence plays a large part in these investigations. Ballistics and firearms, blood splattering, or DNA and fingerprint evidence is often relied upon by murder investigators and thereafter prosecutors. Our thorough and analytical approach combined with links to forensic experts means that no stone remains unturned in pursuit of your defence.
We also have considerable experience in working with experts in the fields of psychiatry and psychology, cell site and telecommunications, ballistics and firearms.
What Is Murder?
Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to intend to kill somebody to be guilty of murder. If a person of sound mind intends to inflict grievous bodily harm and the victim happens to die, that would be considered murder.
The lesser charge of manslaughter refers to cases where a person has caused the death of another without the intention to kill them or cause them serious harm.
What Are The Defences To Murder?
There are complete defences such as self-defence. If a person does not have a sound mind at the time of the killing and therefore has diminished responsibility or is able to raise loss of control, they may be found guilty of the lesser offence of voluntary manslaughter.
What Is Manslaughter?
The offence of involuntary manslaughter is where a person has caused the death of another without the intention to kill them or cause them serious harm as required for a S18 Grievous Bodily Harm. Corporate involuntary manslaughter can occur where an organisation has breached its duty of care to the deceased thereby causing the death of that individual.
What Is Joint Enterprise?
Joint enterprise is the legal doctrine which says when a group of people embark on a criminal enterprise, they can be held responsible for all of the results of that enterprise.
