Self Defence Law UK

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Reasonable Force

A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances for the purposes of:

  • Defending oneself from being attacked

  • Defending another person from being attacked

  • Defence of own property; protecting property from trespass, stopping theft/damage of personal property

  • Prevention of crime Lawful arrest (citizens arrest)

Pre-emptive strikes

There is no rule in law to say that a person must wait to be struck first before they may defend themselves. It is not absolutely necessary that a defendant be attacked first. A man about to be attacked does not have to wait for his assailant to strike the first blow, fire the first shot or wait to be stabbed; circumstances may justify a pre-emptive strike.

Prosecution Assessment

In assessing the reasonableness of the force used, prosecutors will ask two questions:

  • Was the use of force necessary in the circumstances, i.e.

  • Was there a need for any force at all?

Was the force used reasonable in the circumstances, i.e. threat to life or continuance of force after attacker had been stopped.

References

Criminal Law Act 1967 (legislation.gov.uk)

Self-Defence and the Prevention of Crime | The Crown Prosecution Service (cps.gov.uk)