When can self-defence be used?
UK Common law dictates that force or violence may be used by an individual to defend himself or someone else from attack, or to defend their property. Furthermore, section 3 (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1967 dictates that: • “A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime, or in effecting or assisting in the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders or of persons unlawfully at large.” It is also permitted for an individual to act pre-emptively, before the crime is carried out if they genuinely believed it was the only available option of protection. The best evidence of showing that force was the last resort and was absolutely necessary would be to show an initial retreat or withdrawal from the situation. However this is not necessary in order to claim self-defence. The law is clear that if the court believes that the individual provoked an attack or disturbance in order to use force and rely on the claim of self-defence, this claim
