Excusable Homicide

Under section 8 of the Offences against the Person Ordinance, no punishment is incurred by any person who kills another by misfortune, or in his own defence, or lawfully in any other manner.

"Misfortune" refers to a case in which the defendant, while carrying out an act that is itself lawful and having taken reasonable precautions, causes the death of another, where that death does not arise from any criminal intent or recklessness. This includes bona fide medical procedures carried out in accordance with the law.