Voluntary Manslaughter- Diminshed responsibility

Question 1

Voluntary manslaughter> diminished responsibility> requires

Answer 1

1)abnormality of mental functioning that
2) arose from a recognised medical condition,)
3)substantially impaired D’s ability to do one or more of the things mentioned in subsection (1A),
4) provides an explanation for D’s acts and omissions in doing or being a party
to the killing.

Question 2

Diminsheed responsibility > Abnormality of mental functioning

Answer 2

A a condition that is so different from that of an ordinary man that the reasonable man will regard it as abnormal.
R V Byrne> not allowed, sexually mutilated lady>abnormal

Question 3

Diminished responsibility>from a recognised medical condition

Answer 3

Battered wife syndrome> (Ahluwalia)

Question 4

Diminshed responsibility>substantially affect D ability to do what?

Answer 4

-understand nature of his conduct
-make rational judgement
-excersize self control

Question 5

Diminshed responsibility> provide explanation for D’s acts or ommissions

Answer 5

the abnormality causes, or was at least a significant contributory factor in causing, the
defendant to carry out the conduct