Facts
After an exchange of insults, an elderly man struck a younger man on the shoulder, and the younger man responded with a severe blow to the eye.
Issue
Could or self-defence excuse a grossly excessive response?
Held
The was liable; his blow was out of all proportion. Provocation did not reduce compensatory damages.
Principle
Excessive force is not justified by a minor attack.
Why it matters
Modern authority on .
Cited in these chapters
Cite this page
Lane v Holloway [1968] 1 QB 379 (Lanbuk) <https://www.lanbuk.com/llb/torts/cases/lane-v-holloway> accessed 31 October 2026
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This summary is a Lanbuk study aid based on the generally known facts and reports of the case. It is not legal advice.