Reasonable force

Sometimes known as legal force, is the amount of force necessary to protect or defend a person or their property from another person. The term usually denotes defending against a violent attack, theft or other unlawful aggression. It may be used as a defence in a criminal trial or as a defence in a claim alleging tortious conduct. The use of excessive force, or more force than reasonably necessary for such protection, may result in the defence being forfeited.