Can a murder conviction be appealed post-Jogee?

Yes, where the summing-up left the jury with a foresight-only route to conviction. The CCRC has referred a number of pre-Jogee joint enterprise convictions on that basis.

Do you review Schedule 21 minimum-term starting points?

Yes. Wrong starting points — 'weapon taken to the scene' where the weapon was found there, or double-counting of aggravating features — are common minimum-term appeal grounds.

Can diminished responsibility be raised after conviction?

In some cases. Fresh psychiatric evidence going to abnormality of mental functioning under s52 Coroners and Justice Act 2009 can support an appeal against a murder conviction.

Do you review self-defence and householder cases?

Yes. We assess the summing-up on reasonable force, honest belief and the s76 CJIA 2008 householder direction.

How long does the review take?

10–20 working days for a homicide file. Urgent turnaround is available where a minimum-term or appeal deadline is close.

Specialist review · Violent crime & murder

Murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and Section 18 GBH — reviewed by senior counsel.

Homicide and serious violence cases are decided on intent, causation and joint enterprise. A senior lawyer with Crown Court trial experience reviews the whole file — the pathology, CCTV, phone evidence and jury directions — and tells you where the arguable ground sits, whether on conviction, minimum term, or a partial defence that was not run.

£2,450fixed fee · 10–20 working days (urgent turnaround available) · payment plans available

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Charges we review

Murder — Common law
Attempted murder — s1(1) Criminal Attempts Act 1981
Voluntary manslaughter (loss of control / diminished responsibility) — ss54–55 / s52 Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Involuntary manslaughter (unlawful act / gross negligence) — Common law
Wounding / GBH with intent — s18 Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Malicious wounding / GBH — s20 OAPA 1861
Actual bodily harm — s47 OAPA 1861
Affray / violent disorder — ss3, 2 Public Order Act 1986
Minimum term / Schedule 21 review — Sch 21 Sentencing Act 2020

What the lawyer reviews

Indictment, opening, pathology and cause-of-death evidence
CCTV, body-worn video, phone downloads and cell-site tying the defendant to the scene
Joint enterprise / Jogee foresight and 'plus' element — was the correct test directed?
Any partial defence run or not run: loss of control, diminished responsibility
Self-defence directions — reasonable force, householder cases (s76 CJIA 2008)
Intent evidence for s18 GBH vs s20 — the key distinction on sentence
Schedule 21 starting point, aggravating and mitigating features on minimum term
Any fresh psychiatric or expert evidence for diminished responsibility (post-conviction)

Common grounds we identify

Joint enterprise conviction post-Jogee — foresight-only conviction now unsafe

Diminished responsibility not run at trial where psychiatric evidence supported it

Loss of control direction inadequate on the qualifying trigger

Self-defence / householder direction failed to reflect the defendant's honest belief

Intent for s18 GBH not properly directed — s20 alternative should have been left

Minimum term starting point wrong under Schedule 21

Aggravating features double-counted at sentence

Fresh psychiatric evidence undermining the safety of the conviction

Anonymised examples

Joint enterprise murder — post-Jogee

Conviction pre-dated R v Jogee. Review identified a foresight-only route to conviction on the summing-up.

Outcome: Advice: CCRC referral on the Jogee ground

s18 GBH with intent

Single-punch case charged as s18. Intent evidence thin; s20 alternative not left to the jury.

Outcome: Advice: arguable conviction ground

Murder — minimum term

Schedule 21 starting point applied as 25 years for 'weapon taken to the scene'. Weapon was found at the scene.

Outcome: Minimum term reduced on appeal

Examples are anonymised, based on real case types we have reviewed. Every case is different and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

What clients say

"My brother had a life sentence and everyone had given up. Case Review UK's report identified a Jogee point that his trial team had missed. It gave us hope — and a real route."

— Brother of client, HMP Frankland

"The report was written with real experience of the Crown Court. It set out clearly why the intent direction was wrong. Counsel used it verbatim in the grounds of appeal."

— Client, s18 GBH conviction

Testimonials are from verified clients, redacted for confidentiality.

Important

This is an independent case review by a senior UK criminal lawyer. It is not a substitute for instructing a solicitor or barrister to represent you at court. Outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, judge and tribunal, and cannot be guaranteed. All papers are treated in strict confidence.

Book Violent Crime & Murder Case Review — £2,450 See all services

Get in touch

Not sure this is the right package?

Send a short summary of the charge and stage. A senior reviewer will tell you honestly whether this specialist review, a Full Case Assessment, or an urgent triage fits best.

• Reviewed by senior UK lawyers and barristers
• Over 50 years of combined experience
• Fully online — discreet and secure

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