This paper focuses on the study of homicide in English and Spanish law. We have compared the crimes of murder, manslaughter, homicidio doloso, homicidio culposo and asesinato. The objective is to offer reformulations in Spanish for the English concepts. We have adopted a functionalist approach, so the reformulations are considered appropriate in a specific context: the judgements of the Spanish legal system. We have also compiled a corpus of judgements and briefly analysed some of the relevant criminal law concepts to achieve a deep and complete understanding of the concept of homicide in each system. This has allowed us to fulfil the following objectives: to gain an in-depth knowledge of the figures of murder, manslaughter, homicidio doloso, homicidio culposo and asesinato; to define the main similarities and differences between these figures and legal systems, and to propose reformulations adjusted to the previously defined communicative situation.