Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Matters of justification or excuse - General provisions

64: Obedience to de facto law

You could also call this:

“You won't get in trouble for following rules made by people who are in charge, even if they're not officially the government.”

You are protected from being held responsible for a crime if you do something that follows the laws made by those who are actually in charge of a place at that time. This applies even if those people are not officially recognised as the leaders. It doesn’t matter where you are when you do the act, as long as you’re following the rules set by the people who have power there.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM328503.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal law

63: Consent to death, or

“You can't agree to let someone end your life, and if you do, the person who does it is still breaking the law.”

65: Other enactments not affected, or

“This law doesn't change other laws that let people be arrested or stopped.”

Part 3 Matters of justification or excuse
General provisions

64Obedience to de facto law

Every one is protected from criminal responsibility for any act done in obedience to the laws for the time being made and enforced by those in possession de facto of the sovereign power in and over the place where the act is done.

Compare

1908 No 32 s 88