“How far and to what extent, do you consider that the provisions in the Coroners and Justices Act 2009, relating to loss of self-control, will provide an adequate defence for battered women who kill abusive husbands? What, if any, do you consider to be the main limitations of the new enactment? (Sex and gender)”

The Coroners and Justices Act 2009 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom. The act received Royal Assent on November 12, 2009. The aim of the new Coroners and Justices Act 2009 is to deliver more effective, transparent and responsive justice and coroner services for victims, witnesses, effected families and generally to the wider public. This new act has numerous provisions. However, the provision which is of utmost importance whilst talking about the loss of self control is the reform of the law on homicide; in particular, the partial defences such as diminished responsibility. Battered Woman Syndrome is the repetitive episodes of physical assault on a woman by the person with whom she lives or with whom she has a relation with, often resulting in serious physical and psychological detriment to the woman. Over time, the violent episodes tend to escalate in frequency as well as se…(short extract)