Self Defence essay

Q: Is Lord Griffiths’ statement in Beckford, 1988, that ‘a man about to be attacked does not have to wait for his assailant to strike the first blow….circumstances may justify a pre-emptive strike’ a correct statement of the law with regards to self defence?

NO idea where to start!!! Totally lost. Please help.
I think it's correct, but why ask such as an obvious question? How would you approach this question?
Any advice welcome..

Reply 1

Melana

I'd say just list and explain the rules of self-defence and refer to the quote occasionally. It's a stupid questions, you're right. But in the end, they want you to show you know what the rules are, so I guess just explain them and reference where you can!

Reply 2

britishseapower

I can't think of the case top of my head but there is one where a guy fears he is about to be attacked to he attacks them first, held to be self defence, if you read any chapter in a textbook vis-a-vis self defence, you will come across it

Reply 3

Vohamanah

Theres a case that was kinda funny. I think the guy's name was Gladstone Williams :confused:

And he was sat on a bus when he saw some man pinning down a young lad out on the street. So he (very nobly I think) jumped off the bus and punched this guy for sitting on this kid. Turned out the kid had been trying to mug someone and the older guy was performing a citizens arrest. I know its really sad that I find that funny :redface:

But anyway, the upshot was that he was charged with assault on this innocent guy, but successfully pleaded Self-Defence saying he honestly believed he was acting to protect the youth from an assault.

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