Under section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, a person may use what kind of force?

• A. Such force as is reasonable in the circumstances
• B. Proportionate only
• C. Excessive allowed
• D. Unlimited

Answer: (A)

This question tests the standard of force allowed for self-defence under section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967. The law permits such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in order to defend oneself or another. That means the amount of force used must be appropriate to the threat and necessary to prevent harm, judged from the perspective of a reasonable person at the time of the incident and taking into account the defender’s genuine beliefs. It’s not about being perfectly proportional in every situation, but about not using more force than is reasonable to deal with the danger. Excessive or unlimited force isn’t allowed, and the defence hinges on whether the force used was reasonable given what was happening.