Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Matters of justification or excuse - Powers of discipline

60: Discipline on ship or aircraft

You could also call this:

"Rules for keeping order on ships and planes using reasonable force"

Illustration for Crimes Act 1961

If you are in charge of a ship or an aircraft, you can use force to keep everyone on board behaving. You can only use force if you think it is really necessary and if the force you use is reasonable. You can also tell others to use force if you think it is necessary, and they will be allowed to do so if they are following your orders and using reasonable force. When deciding if the force used was reasonable, people will look at whether you had good reasons for using force and whether the force you used was appropriate for the situation.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM328295.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal lawCrime and justice > Police and safetyTransport and travel > Air travelTransport and travel > Boating
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Part 3Matters of justification or excuse
Powers of discipline

60Discipline on ship or aircraft

  1. The master or officer in command of a ship on a voyage or the pilot in command of an aircraft on a flight is justified in using and ordering the use of force for the purpose of maintaining good order and discipline on board his or her ship or aircraft if he or she believes on reasonable grounds that the use of force is necessary, and if the force used is reasonable in the circumstances.

  2. Every one acting in good faith is justified in using force in obedience to any order given by the master or officer or pilot in command for the purpose aforesaid, if the force used is reasonable in the circumstances.

  3. The reasonableness of the grounds on which the use of force was believed to be necessary, and the reasonableness of the force used, are questions of fact.

Compare
  • 1908 No 32 s 85(2), (3)