What factors should the law require the courts to consider when determining "reasonable chastisement"?

BBC: Smacking paper published

The legislation intends to remove the legal defence of "reasonable chastisement" or "reasonable punishment".

BBC: Debate by an Individual Member

Should the law make clear that inhuman and degrading physical punishment can never be justified as reasonable chastisement?

BBC: Smacking paper published

Mr Chubais's chastisement may well reflect shifting sympathies within the president's immediate entourage.

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The charity said the current law, allowing "reasonable chastisement", indicated to abusive parents that persistent and harsh physical punishment was acceptable.

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However, social workers closed their files on her when she was eight because they were satisfied her parents understood the limits of physical chastisement.

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Liberal Democrat Leader Kirsty Williams stressed the need to remove the legal defence of "reasonable chastisement" as she believed this form of punishment could escalate.

BBC: Debate by an Individual Member

Members of all four parties had a free vote when they debated the motion to outlaw smacking in Wales by removing the defence of "chastisement" for smacking a child.

BBC: Debate by an Individual Member