United Kingdom

The Offences Against the Person Act 1861 (OAPA 1861) remains one of the cornerstones of criminal law in England and Wales. It consolidates many earlier statutes on violence and personal injury. After Section 1 clarifies that the Act does not cover murder, Section 2 deals directly with manslaughter . Manslaughter is one of the most serious offences in criminal law, second only to murder. Section 2 does not redefine manslaughter but confirms its legal treatment and punishment.

The Offences Against the Person Act 1861 (OAPA 1861)  is one of the most important pieces of criminal legislation in the United Kingdom. It sets out a wide range of offences involving violence, injury, and threats to individuals. Although more than 160 years old, it remains a key legal text in criminal law. At the very start of the Act is Section 1 , titled Saving for Murder . While it is short, it plays an essential role: it confirms that the OAPA 1861 does not replace or li