Australia Leading Case self defenceexcessive forcemanslaughter

Zecevic v Director of Public Prosecutions (Victoria)

[1987] HCA 26; (1987) 162 CLR 645

JurisdictionAustralia

CourtHigh Court of Australia

Year1987

StatusBinding authority

Key Principle

The common-law test for self-defence is a single composite question: did the accused believe on reasonable grounds that it was necessary in self-defence to do what he or she did; if so (or if the jury is left in reasonable doubt), the accused is entitled to acquittal.

Area of Law

Criminal Law, Procedure & Evidence

Related Cases

McAuliffe v The Queen [1995] HCA 37; (1995) 183 CLR 108

M v The Queen [1994] HCA 63; (1994) 181 CLR 487

Domican v The Queen [1992] HCA 13; (1992) 173 CLR 555

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