Part 3
Matters of justification or excuse

Defence against assault

48 Self-defence and defence of another

Every one is justified in using, in the defence of himself or another, such force as, in the circumstances as he believes them to be, it is reasonable to use.

Part 3
Matters of justification or excuse

Defence ofproperty

52 Defence of movable property against trespasser

(1) Every one in peaceable possession of any movable thing, and every one lawfully assisting him, is justified in using reason-able force to resist the taking of the thing by any trespasser or to retake it from any trespasser, if in either case he does not strike or do bodily harm to the trespasser.

(2) [Repealed]


53 Defence of movable property with claim of right

(1) Every one in peaceable possession of any movable thing under a claim of right, and every one acting under his authority, is protected from criminal responsibility for defending his possession by the use of reasonable force, even against a person entitled by law to possession, if he does not strike or do bodily harm to the other person.

Part 3
Matters of justification or excuse

Defence of property

55 Defence of dwelling house

Every one in peaceable possession of a dwelling house, and every one lawfully assisting him or acting by his authority, is justified in using such force as is necessary to prevent the forcible breaking and entering of the dwelling house by any person if he believes, on reasonable and probable grounds, that there is no lawful justification for the breaking and entering.


56 Defence of land or building

(1) Every one in peaceable possession of any land or building, and every one lawfully assisting him or acting by his authority, is justified in using reasonable force to prevent any person from trespassing on the land or building or to remove him therefrom, if he does not strike or do bodily harm to that person.