Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against the person - Duties tending to the preservation of life

157: Duty to avoid omissions dangerous to life

You could also call this:

“You must do things you promised to do if not doing them could put someone's life in danger.”

If you promise to do something that could be dangerous if you don’t do it, you have a legal duty to follow through. This means you must do what you said you would do. If you don’t do it without a good reason, you can be held responsible for any criminal consequences that happen because you didn’t do it.

For example, if you agree to watch a young child at a pool, you have to keep an eye on them. If you don’t, and something bad happens, you could be in trouble with the law. This law is about making sure people take their responsibilities seriously, especially when other people’s safety depends on it.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM329298.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal law

156: Duty of persons in charge of dangerous things, or

“People must be careful with things that could hurt others if not handled safely.”

158: Homicide defined, or

“Homicide means when one person causes the death of another person in any way.”

Part 8 Crimes against the person
Duties tending to the preservation of life

157Duty to avoid omissions dangerous to life

Every one who undertakes to do any act the omission to do which is or may be dangerous to life is under a legal duty to do that act, and is criminally responsible for the consequences of omitting without lawful excuse to discharge that duty.

Compare

1908 No 32 s 172