Commentary on Articles

Article 2: Physical punishment of children

Article 2 lists those offences which will no longer give rise to a defence of reasonable chastisement. The defence will, however, still be available on a charge of common assault under section 42 of the Offences Against The Person Act 1861 (c.100). It also precludes the use of the defence in a claim for civil damages where the harm caused amounted to actual bodily harm.