The abnormality of mind factor in diminished responsibility

Section 2(1) of the Homicide Act 1957 restricts diminished responsibility p leas to abnormalities of mind which arise from one or more of the bracketed causes contained in the subsection. It is only recently that the Court of Appeal has begun to give any detailed consideration to the aetiological com plexities of section 2(1). This article draws on these appellate decisions and gives a critical analysis of the current legal position.