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class="firstHeading mw-first-heading"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Necessity in English criminal law</span></h1> <div id="p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown mw-portlet mw-portlet-lang" > <input type="checkbox" id="p-lang-btn-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox mw-interlanguage-selector" aria-label="This article exist only in this language. 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data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-appearance.pin">move to sidebar</button> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-unpin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-appearance.unpin">hide</button> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div id="bodyContent" class="vector-body" aria-labelledby="firstHeading" data-mw-ve-target-container> <div class="vector-body-before-content"> <div class="mw-indicators"> </div> <div id="siteSub" class="noprint">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</div> </div> <div id="contentSub"><div id="mw-content-subtitle"></div></div> <div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Defence for breaking the law</div> <p> In <a href="/wiki/English_law" title="English law">English law</a>, the defence of <b>necessity</b> recognises that there may be situations of such overwhelming urgency that a person must be allowed to respond by breaking the law. There have been very few cases in which the <a href="/wiki/Necessity_(criminal_law)" title="Necessity (criminal law)">defence of necessity</a> has succeeded, and in general terms there are very few situations where such a defence could even be applicable. The defining feature of such a defence is that the situation is not caused by another person (which would fall under either duress or self-defence) and that the accused was in genuine risk of immediate harm or danger. </p><p>For the most part crimes that could be justified as necessary are minor in nature, such as driving over the speed limit to reach medical care, or damaging property to escape a fire. In almost all cases where a serious crime has taken place, necessity is unlikely to be a successful defence as courts have mostly taken the view that directly harming another person could not be justified even by extreme circumstances unless it directly prevented immediate serious harm or death.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Even if a person were already likely to die, and their death would allow others to survive, killing them is not necessary until the point where harm is imminently likely to occur to the others and if that harm is not immediate, then necessity cannot apply. As such the circumstances where necessity could apply to a serious crime are extremely narrow, involving two or more people in an immediately life-threatening situation where only one could survive. Even in this situation, as the law does allow for a person not to take actions that would save another person if to do so would put their own life at risk, it is seldom strictly necessary for one person to kill another, one allowing the other to die in the course of the situation, then saving themselves. </p><p>The <a href="/wiki/Crown_Prosecution_Service" title="Crown Prosecution Service">Crown Prosecution Service</a> has historically chosen to exercise its discretion not to prosecute those cases where it believes potential defendants have acted reasonably in all the circumstances, and as such where necessity is a strong defence. </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Necessity_in_English_criminal_law&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: History"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>This defence was used in the early <a href="/wiki/Trial_(law)" class="mw-redirect" title="Trial (law)">trial</a> of <i><a href="/wiki/Regina_v._Dudley_%26_Stephens" class="mw-redirect" title="Regina v. Dudley & Stephens">Regina v. Dudley & Stephens</a></i> (1884) <a href="/wiki/Case_citation" title="Case citation">14 QBD 273 DC</a>, where four <a href="/wiki/Shipwreck" title="Shipwreck">shipwrecked</a> <a href="/wiki/Sailor" title="Sailor">sailors</a> were cast adrift in a small boat without provisions. To save themselves, the three strongest decided to eat the fourth, the 17-year-old <a href="/wiki/Cabin_boy" title="Cabin boy">cabin boy</a>. The <a href="/wiki/Court" title="Court">court</a> ruled that <a href="/wiki/Human_cannibalism" title="Human cannibalism">cannibalising</a> the boy was not urgently necessary. Even though the cabin boy would almost certainly have died of <a href="/wiki/Natural_causes" class="mw-redirect" title="Natural causes">natural causes</a>, the sailors killed the boy intentionally and were <a href="/wiki/Culpability" title="Culpability">guilty</a> of <a href="/wiki/Murder" title="Murder">murder</a>. There was some degree of necessity arising from the threat of <a href="/wiki/Starvation" title="Starvation">starvation</a> but, at any moment, a ship could have sailed over the horizon to save them as, indeed, the three were rescued. Since they could never be sure that the killing was actually necessary from one minute to the next, the defence was denied. Cannibalism itself is not an offence so long as the death occurs naturally. </p><p>Dudley and Stephens were convicted of murder and sentenced to be hanged; however, their sentence was later reduced to just six months in prison. The third man, Brooks, was not tried, as he had not participated in the murder. The principles from this case form the basis of the defence of necessity not being available for murder. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="The_principles">The principles</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Necessity_in_English_criminal_law&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: The principles"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>There must be an urgent and immediate threat to life which creates a situation in which the defendant reasonably believes that a proportionate response to that threat is to break the law. This reflects the distinction between the defences of necessity and <a href="/wiki/Duress" class="mw-redirect" title="Duress">duress</a> in that the former is pressure of circumstances arising naturally, whereas the latter is a threat from an entirely human agency that overpowers the will of the defendant. The general approach was laid down by <a href="/wiki/Tom_Denning,_Baron_Denning" title="Tom Denning, Baron Denning">Lord Denning</a> in <i>Southwark London Borough Council v Williams</i> (1971) 2 AER 175 that necessity should be denied as a general defence because otherwise anarchy and disorder would follow. If hunger was allowed to become the basis of necessity, any poor person might seek to justify <a href="/wiki/Burglary" title="Burglary">burglary</a> to steal food by arguing that he or she had reasonably believed that this was a proportionate response to the threat of malnutrition. Thus, the fact that hunger does not arise spontaneously, and there are other ways in which to seek relief from poverty (e.g. work or by seeking welfare support or charity), would deny the defence of necessity. The Canadian courts put the issue succinctly. In <a href="/wiki/Perka_v._The_Queen" class="mw-redirect" title="Perka v. The Queen">Perka v The Queen</a> (1984) 2 SCR 232, Dickson J. held at p250 that </p> <dl><dd>If the defence of necessity is to form a valid and consistent part of our criminal law it must, as has been universally recognised, be strictly controlled and scrupulously limited to situations that correspond to its underlying rationale.</dd></dl> <p>When considering necessity in <i>R v Cole</i> (1994) Crim. LR 582 <a href="/wiki/Simon_Brown,_Baron_Brown_of_Eaton-under-Heywood" title="Simon Brown, Baron Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood">Simon Brown</a> <a href="/wiki/Lord_Justice_of_Appeal" class="mw-redirect" title="Lord Justice of Appeal">LJ</a>. held that the peril relied on to support the plea of necessity lacked imminence and the degree of directness and immediacy required of the link between the suggested peril and the offence charged. This defendant robbed two building societies in order to repay debts. The form of defence was "duress by circumstance" which attempts to extend the coverage of duress by borrowing the idea of an uncontrollable external circumstance forcing a choice by the defendant to break the law. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Medical_necessity">Medical necessity</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Necessity_in_English_criminal_law&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Medical necessity"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In <i>Quayle and Others v R; Attorney General's Reference (No. 2 of 2004)</i> (2005) EWCA Crim 1415 each defendant appealed convictions associated variously with the cultivation or possession of <a href="/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)" title="Cannabis (drug)">cannabis</a> resin to be used for pain management. The choice facing the appellants was not severe pain without cannabis or absence of pain with cannabis, rather it was the absence of pain with adverse side effects without cannabis, and absence of pain with minimal side effects with cannabis. The difference was restricted to the adverse side effects which, however unpleasant, could not sensibly be said to raise a <i><a href="/wiki/Prima_facie" title="Prima facie">prima facie</a></i> possibility of serious injury, let alone one such as would overwhelm the will of the defendant. There was no evidence from an objective standpoint that the appellants were acting reasonably and proportionately to a threat of injury. The evidence was clear that it was possible for the appellants to control pain by conventional and legal means. To admit the medical use of cannabis on the ground of necessity would defeat the legislative purpose underpinning the <a href="/wiki/Misuse_of_Drugs_Act_1971" title="Misuse of Drugs Act 1971">Misuse of Drugs Act 1971</a>. Further, for the defence of necessity to succeed, the threat of injury must be immediate and imminent and come from an extraneous source. The parties were responding to continuous pain over a period of time and, in any event, pain is too subjective to qualify as an external threat. There was nothing urgent that overwhelmed their will to resist. The parties then argued that the law breached Article 8 <a href="/wiki/European_Convention_on_Human_Rights" title="European Convention on Human Rights">European Convention on Human Rights</a> by interfering with the right of privacy. Interference with the right of respect for private life is permissible under Article 8(2) if "in accordance with the law and ... <a href="/wiki/Necessary_in_a_democratic_society" title="Necessary in a democratic society">necessary in a democratic society</a> ... for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or <a href="/wiki/Morals" class="mw-redirect" title="Morals">morals</a>, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others". Within the limits indicated in <i>Taylor (Joseph) v Lancashire County Council</i> (2005) EWCA Civ 284, the court's decision would involve an evaluation of the medical and scientific evidence, but their conclusion was that this was a policy matter more properly within the remit of the relevant Minister. Thus, this unlawful self-help did not qualify as necessity and did not fall within the protection of Article 8 ECHR. </p><p>In <i>Altham</i> (2006) EWCA Crim 7 the defendant used cannabis for pain relief following injury in a road accident. He was charged with possession under s5(2) <a href="/wiki/Misuse_of_Drugs_Act_1971" title="Misuse of Drugs Act 1971">Misuse of Drugs Act 1971</a>. The judge at first instance refused to leave the defence of <a href="/wiki/Medical_necessity" title="Medical necessity">medical necessity</a> to the jury so the defendant changed his plea to guilty. The <a href="/wiki/Court_of_Appeal_of_England_and_Wales" class="mw-redirect" title="Court of Appeal of England and Wales">Court of Appeal</a> held that Article 3 ECHR (not to subject a person to <a href="/wiki/Inhuman_or_degrading_treatment" class="mw-redirect" title="Inhuman or degrading treatment">inhuman or degrading treatment</a>) does apply to the state. The defendant argued that using cannabis was the only way in which his symptoms could be alleviated and that he could not do so without committing a criminal offence. Thus, the state, by prosecuting him, subjected him to degrading treatment. The court said that the state, by refusing cannabis, neither did nor refrained from doing anything that would subject the defendant to degrading treatment. The state had done nothing to change the defendant's condition for better or worse, and there was nothing to require the court to read the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as subject to a defence of medical necessity. The court applied <i>Quayle</i> where the focus was on Article 8, and the defence of necessity was denied because it would be in conflict with the purpose and effect of the legislative scheme. </p><p>In <i><a href="/wiki/Re_A_(Children)_(Conjoined_Twins:_Surgical_Separation)" class="mw-redirect" title="Re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation)">Re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation)</a></i> (2000) 4 AER 961 Jodie and Mary were <a href="/wiki/Ischiopagus" class="mw-redirect" title="Ischiopagus">ischiopagus</a> conjoined twins (i.e. joined at the pelvis) and the Court of Appeal had to decide whether it was lawful to perform surgery to separate them when the separation would kill Mary. If the operation did not take place there was evidence that both would die within six months. The court proceeded on the basis that the potential charge would be murder in that, although the girls were physically joined, they were separate "lives in being". The court decided that the operation would be lawful. <a href="/wiki/Alan_Ward_(judge)" title="Alan Ward (judge)">Ward LJ</a> concluded that, by analogy with self-defence, it was lawful to kill Mary because she was, albeit lawfully, killing Jodie. Ward reasoned that causing Mary's death did not breach the <a href="/wiki/Public_policy_(law)" class="mw-redirect" title="Public policy (law)">public policy</a> of "sanctity of life" because of the "quasi self-defence", but <a href="/wiki/Henry_Brooke_(judge)" title="Henry Brooke (judge)">Brooke LJ</a>, rejected self-defence because Mary was not unlawfully threatening Jodie's life. He concluded that necessity rather than duress of circumstances would apply because the doctor's will was not being overwhelmed by the threat. Instead, the doctors were making a rational choice to adopt the lesser of two evils, i.e. the death of one rather than the death of both twins. Ward LJ. reasoned that separation surgery was clearly in Jodie's best interests, but not in Mary's best interests because it denied her "inherent right to life." Given the conflict of the children's interests and the consequent conflict in the doctor's duties to each child, there was "no other way of dealing with it than by choosing the lesser of the two evils and so finding the least detrimental alternative." Jodie could benefit from the surgery to enjoy probably a near-normal life; refusal to allow separation would result in the death of both twins. So "the least detrimental alternative" was to allow separation. Necessity would not usually be allowed as a defence to murder, but Brooke LJ. distinguished <a href="/wiki/Regina_v._Dudley_and_Stephens" class="mw-redirect" title="Regina v. Dudley and Stephens">Dudley & Stephens</a> on the basis that the doctors were not selecting the victim unlike the cabin boy in <i>Dudley</i>. The decision is restricted to cases of medical necessity and a conflict of duty owed both by doctors to different patients and by parents to their children but does provide an interesting expansion of the law albeit, as Michalowski (2001) comments, it poses difficult questions as to who should take such decisions on behalf of patients. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Necessity_in_English_criminal_law&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://ipsaloquitur.com/criminal-law/necessity/">"Necessity in Criminal Law"</a>. <i>IPSA LOQUITUR</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">23 October</span> 2019</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=IPSA+LOQUITUR&rft.atitle=Necessity+in+Criminal+Law&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fipsaloquitur.com%2Fcriminal-law%2Fnecessity%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ANecessity+in+English+criminal+law" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <ul><li>Allen, Michael. (2005). <i>Textbook on Criminal Law</i>. Oxford University Press, Oxford. <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-927918-7" title="Special:BookSources/0-19-927918-7">0-19-927918-7</a>.</li> <li>Elliott. (1989). "Necessity, Duress and Self-Defence". <i>Criminal Law Review</i> 611.</li> <li>Michalowski, Sabine. (2001). "Reversal of Fortune "Re A (Conjoined Twins)" and Beyond: Who Should Make Treatment Decisions on Behalf of Young Children?" <i>Health Law Journal</i> Vol.9. 149. <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://www.law.ualberta.ca/centres/hli/pdfs/hlj/v9/michalowskifrm.pdf">[1]</a></li> <li>Ormerod, David. (2005). <i>Smith and Hogan Criminal Law</i>. Eleventh edition. London: LexisNexis. <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-406-97730-5" title="Special:BookSources/0-406-97730-5">0-406-97730-5</a></li> <li>Saini, P. (1999). "The Doctrine of Double Effect and the Law of Murder". <i>Medico-Legal Journal</i> Vol 67(3_. pp. 106–120.</li> <li>Sheldon, S & Wilkinson, S. (1997). "Conjoined Twins: The Legality and Ethics of Sacrifice". <i>Medical Law Review</i> Vol. 2. pp. 149–171.</li></ul> <div class="navbox-styles"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output .hlist li{margin:0;display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ul{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist .mw-empty-li{display:none}.mw-parser-output .hlist dt::after{content:": "}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist 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title="English criminal law">English criminal law</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Classes of crimes</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Indictable_offence" title="Indictable offence">Indictable</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hybrid_offence" title="Hybrid offence">Either way</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Summary_offence" title="Summary offence">Summary</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Regulatory_offence" title="Regulatory offence">Regulatory (lowered mens rea)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Statutory_law" class="mw-redirect" title="Statutory law">Statutory</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Common_law_offence" title="Common law offence">Common law</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Elements of crimes</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Actus_reus" title="Actus reus">Actus reus</a></i></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Causation_(law)" title="Causation (law)">Causation</a></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Mens_rea" title="Mens rea">Mens rea</a></i></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Intention_(criminal_law)" title="Intention (criminal law)">Intention (criminal law)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Intention_in_English_law" title="Intention in English law">Intention in English law</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Recklessness_(law)" title="Recklessness (law)">Recklessness</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Criminal_negligence" title="Criminal negligence">Criminal negligence</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Corporate_liability" title="Corporate liability">Corporate</a> / <a href="/wiki/Vicarious_liability_(criminal)" title="Vicarious liability (criminal)">Vicarious</a> / <a href="/wiki/Strict_liability_(criminal)" title="Strict liability (criminal)">Strict liability</a></li> <li><a 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title="Category:Criminal defenses">Category:Criminal defences</a></i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Offence_against_the_person" title="Offence against the person">Offences against<br />the person</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Homicide_in_English_law" title="Homicide in English law">Homicide</a> (<a href="/wiki/Murder_in_English_law" title="Murder in English law">Murder</a> / <a href="/wiki/Manslaughter_in_English_law" title="Manslaughter in English law">Manslaughter</a> / <a href="/wiki/Corporate_manslaughter_in_English_law" title="Corporate manslaughter in English law">Corporate manslaughter</a> / <a href="/wiki/Infanticide_Act_1938" title="Infanticide Act 1938">Infanticide</a>)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Unlawful_killing" title="Unlawful killing">Unlawful killing</a></li> <li><a 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rape</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Assault_with_intent_to_resist_arrest" title="Assault with intent to resist arrest">Assault with intent to resist lawful apprehension</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Assaulting_a_constable_in_the_execution_of_his_duty" title="Assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty">Assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Battery_(crime)" title="Battery (crime)">Battery</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kidnapping" title="Kidnapping">Kidnapping</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Child_abduction" title="Child abduction">Child abduction</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/False_imprisonment" title="False imprisonment">False imprisonment</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Protection_from_Harassment_Act_1997" title="Protection from Harassment Act 1997">Harassment</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Offences_Against_the_Person_Act_1861" title="Offences Against the Person Act 1861">Offences Against the Person Act 1861</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Treason" title="Treason">Treason</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Sexual_offences_in_the_United_Kingdom" title="Sexual offences in the United Kingdom">Sexual offences</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Rape_in_English_law" title="Rape in English law">Rape</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sexual_assault" title="Sexual assault">Sexual assault</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sexual_Offences_Act_2003" title="Sexual Offences Act 2003">Sexual Offences Act 2003</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Public-order_crime" title="Public-order crime">Public order offences</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Riot" title="Riot">Riot</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Violent_disorder" title="Violent disorder">Violent disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Affray" title="Affray">Affray</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Unlawful_assembly" title="Unlawful assembly">Unlawful assembly</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fear_or_provocation_of_violence" title="Fear or provocation of violence">Fear or provocation of violence</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Harassment,_alarm_or_distress" class="mw-redirect" title="Harassment, alarm or distress">Harassment, alarm or distress</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Intentional_harassment,_alarm_or_distress" title="Intentional harassment, alarm or distress">intent aggravates</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Public_Order_Act_1986" title="Public Order Act 1986">Public Order Act 1986</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Incitement_to_ethnic_or_racial_hatred" title="Incitement to ethnic or racial hatred">Incitement to ethnic or racial hatred</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nuisance_in_English_law" title="Nuisance in English law">Nuisance</a></li> <li>Causing <a href="/wiki/Public_nuisance" title="Public nuisance">Public nuisance</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Outraging_public_decency" title="Outraging public decency">Outraging public decency</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Effecting_a_public_mischief" class="mw-redirect" title="Effecting a public mischief">Effecting a public mischief</a></li> <li>Keeping a <a href="/wiki/Disorderly_house" title="Disorderly house">disorderly house</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Preventing_the_lawful_burial_of_a_body" title="Preventing the lawful burial of a body">Preventing the lawful burial of a body</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Breach_of_the_peace" title="Breach of the peace">Breach of the peace</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rout" title="Rout">Rout</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Forcible_entry" title="Forcible entry">Forcible entry</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Accessory_(legal_term)" title="Accessory (legal term)">Accessory (legal term)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Misconduct_in_a_public_office" class="mw-redirect" title="Misconduct in a public office">Misconduct in a public office</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Misfeasance_in_public_office" title="Misfeasance in public office">Misfeasance in public office</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Abuse_of_authority" class="mw-redirect" title="Abuse of authority">Abuse of authority</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Perjury" title="Perjury">Perjury</a> of oath</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dereliction_of_duty" class="mw-redirect" title="Dereliction of duty">Dereliction of duty</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Property_crime" title="Property crime">Offences against property</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Arson" title="Arson">Arson</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dishonesty" title="Dishonesty">Dishonesty</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cheating_(law)" title="Cheating (law)">Cheating (law)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Burglary_in_English_law" title="Burglary in English law">Burglary</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Robbery" title="Robbery">Robbery</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Theft" title="Theft">Theft</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Criminal_damage_in_English_law" title="Criminal damage in English law">Criminal damage</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Squatting" title="Squatting">Squatting</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Trespass" title="Trespass">Trespass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Taking_without_owner%27s_consent" title="Taking without owner's consent">Taking without owner's consent</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Deception_(criminal_law)" title="Deception (criminal law)">Deception</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Handling_stolen_goods" class="mw-redirect" title="Handling stolen goods">Handling stolen goods</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Misappropriation" title="Misappropriation">Misappropriation of funds</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Blackmail" title="Blackmail">Blackmail</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Extortion" title="Extortion">Extortion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cybercrime" title="Cybercrime">Cybercrime</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Theft_Act_1968" title="Theft Act 1968">Theft Act 1968</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Theft_Act_1978" title="Theft Act 1978">Theft Act 1978</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fraud_Act_2006" title="Fraud Act 2006">Fraud Act 2006</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fraud_by_abuse_of_position" class="mw-redirect" title="Fraud by abuse of position">Fraud by abuse of position</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Conspiracy_to_defraud" title="Conspiracy to defraud">Conspiracy to defraud</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fare_evasion" title="Fare evasion">Fare evasion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Webcam_blackmail" class="mw-redirect" title="Webcam blackmail">Webcam blackmail</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Forgery, personation<br />and cheating</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Forgery" title="Forgery">Forgery</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cheating_the_public_revenue" class="mw-redirect" title="Cheating the public revenue">Cheating the public revenue</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Uttering" title="Uttering">Uttering</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Offences against justice</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Bribery" title="Bribery">Bribery</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Perjury" title="Perjury">Perjury</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Perverting_the_course_of_justice" title="Perverting the course of justice">Perverting the course of justice</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Witness_intimidation" class="mw-redirect" title="Witness intimidation">Witness intimidation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Witness_tampering" title="Witness tampering">Witness tampering</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Misprision_of_treason" title="Misprision of treason">Misprision of treason</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Jury_tampering" title="Jury tampering">Jury tampering</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Assault_with_intent_to_resist_arrest" title="Assault with intent to resist arrest">Assault with intent to resist lawful apprehension</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Assaulting_a_constable_in_the_execution_of_his_duty" title="Assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty">Assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Harboring_a_fugitive" class="mw-redirect" title="Harboring a fugitive">Harboring a fugitive</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Encouraging_or_assisting_a_crime_in_English_law" title="Encouraging or assisting a crime in English law">Encouraging or assisting a crime</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Prison_escape" title="Prison escape">Escape from lawful custody</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Obstruction_of_justice" class="mw-redirect" title="Obstruction of justice">Obstruction of justice</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Resisting_arrest" class="mw-redirect" title="Resisting arrest">Obstruction of a police officer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wasting_police_time" title="Wasting police time">Wasting police time</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Refusing_to_assist_a_constable" class="mw-redirect" title="Refusing to assist a constable">Refusing to assist a constable</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sedition" title="Sedition">Sedition</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Espionage" title="Espionage">Espionage</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Contempt_of_court" title="Contempt of court">Contempt of court</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/False_evidence" title="False evidence">Fabrication of false evidence</a></li> <li><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rescuing_a_prisoner&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rescuing a prisoner (page does not exist)">Rescuing a prisoner</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Common_law" title="Common law">Other common law areas</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Contract" title="Contract">Contract</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tort" title="Tort">Tort</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Property_law" title="Property law">Property</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Will_(law)" class="mw-redirect" title="Will (law)">Wills</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Trust_law" class="mw-redirect" title="Trust law">Trusts</a> and <a href="/wiki/Estate_(law)" title="Estate (law)">estates</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Evidence_(law)" title="Evidence (law)">Evidence</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Criminal_procedure" title="Criminal procedure">Criminal procedure</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow hlist" colspan="2"><div> <ul><li><b><a href="/wiki/Portal:Law" title="Portal:Law">English law portal</a></b></li> <li>For obsolete aspects see <b><a href="/wiki/Template:History_of_English_criminal_law" title="Template:History of English criminal law">History of English criminal law</a> table</b></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?useformat=desktop&type=1x1&usesul3=0" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Necessity_in_English_criminal_law&oldid=1210821292">https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Necessity_in_English_criminal_law&oldid=1210821292</a>"</div></div> <div id="catlinks" class="catlinks" data-mw="interface"><div id="mw-normal-catlinks" class="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="/wiki/Help:Category" title="Help:Category">Categories</a>: <ul><li><a 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