The common law defence of self-defence applies equally to the defence of any person — relative, friend, or stranger — without distinction based on the relationship between the accused and the person defended. Proportionality of response is not a separate requirement in self-defence but merely one consideration within the single Zecevic question. Trial judges must not add a proportionality rider to the conventional Zecevic direction as a separate or additional test, as this risks misleading the jury into applying a purely objective assessment divorced from the accused's subjective beliefs.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 14 later cases that cite this judgment.
4 of the 14 citing cases carry a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.