Section 418 — Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)

(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if the person carries out the conduct constituting the offence in self-defence.
(2) A person carries out conduct in self-defence if and only if the person believes the conduct is necessary—
(a) to defend himself or herself or another person, or
(b) to prevent or terminate the unlawful deprivation of his or her liberty or the liberty of another person, or
(c) to protect property from unlawful taking, destruction, damage or interference, or
(d) to prevent criminal trespass to any land or premises or to remove a person committing any such criminal trespass,
and the conduct is a reasonable response in the circumstances as he or she perceives them.

Related sections

• s 351B — Aiders and abettors punishable as principals
• s 417 — Proof of lawful authority or excuse
• s 417A — Proof of exceptions
• s 419 — Self-defence—onus of proof
• s 420 — Self-defence—not available if death inflicted to protect property or trespass to property
• s 421 — Self-defence—excessive force that inflicts death

Research how courts apply s 418

BriefBridge searches NSW and High Court caselaw by meaning — every answer cited to the paragraph.