In murder trials where self-defence is raised under the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), the jury must be directed that if the Crown fails to exclude both limbs of self-defence under s 418 (belief in necessity and reasonable response), the accused is entitled to a complete acquittal of both murder and manslaughter. Sections 418 and 421 must be explained as an integrated conceptual whole, not as sequential gateways. A direction that failure to exclude self-defence leads only to consideration of manslaughter by excessive self-defence, without explaining the pathway to complete acquittal, is erroneous and may constitute a miscarriage of justice.
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