Murder Sentencing Consultation

In November 2023, the government launched a public consultation, on reforming murder sentencing. Looking at whether domestic killers should receive tougher sentences if they subjected their victims to a campaign of coercive and controlling abuse.

The consultation considers raising the starting point for the offence of Murder where there is evidence to suggest a history of coercive and controlling abuse or with a weapon. Ministers will consider whether murderers, who use a knife or another weapon already at the crime scene to kill, should face steeper starting points for sentencing – a change that could result in higher minimum terms in these cases.

Please see hyperlinked. Please answer each question and once completed return to desmond.zephyr@lewisham.gov.uk by Friday 19 January 2024 6:00pm. We will use your responses to form a briefing paper to be presented to the Director of Community Services, Lewisham. No personal details will be used. Do share the questions as you deem appropriate but please note the consultation/questions may be sensitive and challenging for some to answer due to previous traumatic experiences and we would ask that if this is shared with victims and survivors, provisions are made for their wellbeing when giving feedback.