Closed petition: Review Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861

Closed on 11 February 2026

We want the Government to review Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. We think it’s outdated and too broad. We think we need a fairer, modern law that reflects the severity and context of each case and avoids lifelong consequences for minor or provoked incidents.

We think section 47 fails to reflect individual circumstances, leaving people with lifelong consequences for brief or provoked incidents. We feel it doesn’t account for self-defence, harassment, or mental health factors. We think a review is needed to ensure justice is fair, proportionate, and fit for today’s society. We feel it treats all ABH incidents the same, ignoring intent, context, and severity. People may face lifelong consequences for brief or provoked actions. We think we need a review for fair and proportionate justice.