Europe
United Kingdom.
The sources checked describe a general rule in negligence of no liability for pure omissions, so there is no broad duty to help a stranger. Parliament has told courts in England and Wales to consider socially beneficial and heroic conduct when judging negligence, and government supports giving through Gift Aid, Payroll Giving and the honours system.
Is there a legal duty to help a stranger?
No general duty foundA scholarly article hosted by the University of Oxford describes the general rule of no liability in negligence for pure omissions, with exceptions such as assumed responsibility. A narrow statutory duty exists for drivers: section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires a driver involved in an accident causing injury to stop and give information. The sources checked do not address Scotland or Northern Ireland separately.
Are people who help protected?
LimitedThe Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Act 2015 (England and Wales) requires a court deciding a negligence or breach of statutory duty claim to have regard to whether the person was acting for the benefit of society (s. 2), demonstrated a predominantly responsible approach (s. 3), or acted heroically by intervening in an emergency to assist an individual in danger (s. 4). It is a factor for courts, not a grant of immunity.
How the government promotes giving and service
Ways to give and volunteer
The UK has a mature charity sector with public registers and a fundraising regulator, so most checks can be done online in minutes. Check a charity's registration number first.
Check a charity before you give
Search any charity in England and Wales to confirm it is registered and see its accounts; Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own regulators (OSCR and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland).
Give your time
Give money, blood or a donation
In an emergency or a crisis
Before you act
- Check the charity number on the register before giving, and be careful with doorstep, street and text or social media appeals from people who cannot show one. Fundraisers should be able to show ID and follow the Fundraising Regulator's code. Visitors on tourist visas should ask whether unpaid volunteering is allowed before agreeing to any role.
This list does not cover individual local charities or crowdfunding. Checked 2026-10-28. Listing an organization is not an endorsement, and none of them has endorsed this site. Some official sites block automatic checks, so a link may need a second try.
One thing worth knowing
The 2015 Act is unusual in directing courts to weigh social action and heroic intervention directly, rather than granting blanket immunity.
What this does not mean
The 2015 Act applies to England and Wales only and does not remove liability. The sources checked cover civil negligence and one statutory driver duty, not every criminal-law omission rule, and Scotland and Northern Ireland were not separately verified. Nothing here is legal advice. This is a plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice, and it does not rank countries. No government named here has endorsed this site. Not reviewed by a lawyer. Statutes were read in public sources and may have changed. Last checked October 26, 2026.