Self-defence

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2019

Principle established: The court examined grounds of appeal involving the failure to record a summing-up, misdirection on self-defence and provocation, and the constitutionality of the mandatory death sentence for murder.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2018

Principle established: The court examined grounds of appeal involving the failure to record a summing-up, misdirection on self-defence and provocation, and the constitutionality of the mandatory death sentence for murder.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2019

Principle established: The court examined grounds of appeal involving the failure to record a summing-up, misdirection on self-defence and provocation, and the constitutionality of the mandatory death sentence for murder.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 1978

Principle established: It is a fatal misdirection for a trial judge to direct a jury on self-defence when the accused does not admit the act or rely on that defence.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1978

Principle established: It is a fatal misdirection for a trial judge to direct a jury on self-defence when the accused does not admit the act or rely on that defence.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1961

Principle established: Where there is evidence that the accused acted in self-defence, the trial judge is legally bound to submit the issue of self-defence to the assessors.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 1961

Principle established: The trial judge is legally bound to leave the issue of self-defence to the assessors if there is any evidence supporting that defence.

Zimbabwe · 2022

Principle established: To succeed on a plea of self-defence, the accused must show they used reasonable force to avert an unlawful attack, while provocation may mitigate murder to a lesser offence.