Reform of murder laws

A radical change to the way Britain prosecutes the crime of murder has been mooted.

The former and current director of public prosecutions (DPP) have argued for a change in the law to a system resembling that in the United States, where murder is categorised into 'degrees' with different sentencing arrangement depending on the culpability of the defendant, leaving more decisions at the discretion of judges.

Currently there is a mandatory life sentence for all convicted murder cases. The government is considering the suggested changes, though reform is likely to meet opposition before it can be carried out.