What if the training you deliver today could one day save someone from a criminal conviction?
This is not a hypothetical question.
It’s a reality we recently witnessed when a former delegate walked free from Crown Court, armed not with a legal team’s strategy, but with the understanding and confidence gained from an NFPS self-defence course nearly a decade earlier.
At NFPS Ltd, we’ve long stood by one guiding principle, which is that training must be legally defensible.
But that phrase is often misunderstood.
Many assume it simply means teaching what the law says, for example, quoting Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act, Article 2 of the Human Rights Act, or Atkins’ definition of self-defence.
While these are essential foundations, they are only part of the picture.
True legal defensibility isn’t about memorising legislation or rehearsing textbook answers.
It’s about understanding how the law is applied in context, in the real world, under pressure and often in situations where the same action could be lawful in one instance and unlawful in another.
That depth of understanding, how law meets circumstance, is what NFPS training delivers.
Recently, we received an email that powerfully reinforced this truth.
A former delegate, who attended one of our self-defence instructor courses almost ten years ago, shared his experience of applying that knowledge when it mattered most.
Below is his message, shared with his permission, exactly as we received it.
(I have redacted some of Scott’s personal details, but both he and I are happy to receive DMs to discuss further.)
From: Scott XXXXXXXX
Date: Monday, 13 October 2025 at 20:39
To: Trevel Henry trevelhenry@nfps.info
Subject: Testimonial
Trevel,
I am writing to share my profound gratitude for the training I received from NFPS, particularly the self-defence course I attended nearly a decade ago, facilitated by Mark Dawes.
I recently had the opportunity to reflect on the immense value of this training when I found myself facing serious legal charges, including actual bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon (a belt), and assault on an emergency service worker.
In my recent trial at the Crown Court in XXXXXX, I was able to rely on the legal principles I learned during that course.
I successfully applied section 3(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1967, Article 2 of the Human Rights Act, and Atkins’ definition of self-defence as part of my defence strategy.
I am pleased to report that these teachings contributed significantly to a unanimous not guilty verdict on all counts.
The insights and knowledge I gained from NFPS empowered me to effectively assert my rights in a complex legal situation.
This experience has not only reinforced the relevance of the training but has also highlighted the importance of understanding self-defence laws in real-world applications.
I recently spoke with Trevel about collaborating to share my experience further, and I believe it would be beneficial for others to learn from how this training can have a lasting impact.
I am excited about the possibility of working together to convey the importance of proper training in self-defence law to a broader audience.
Thank you, NFPS, for providing top-notch training and for the positive influence it has had on my life and my recent legal encounter.
I wholeheartedly recommend your programs to anyone interested in self-defence and the legal intricacies that accompany it.
Sincerely,
Scott
Why This Story Matters
What stands out in Scott’s story isn’t just the verdict.
It’s the composure, clarity, and confidence he displayed when everything was on the line.
Those qualities aren’t luck.
They’re the result of training that goes beyond techniques, encouraging learners to think critically, act proportionately and understand why they make the decisions they do.
Scott’s ability to recall and apply
– Section 3(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1967
– Article 2 of the Human Rights Act
– Atkins’ definition of self-defence
…under courtroom scrutiny, demonstrates something most training never achieves
The transformation of knowledge into understanding and understanding into capability.
This is the essence of NFPS training.
What “Legally Defensible” Really Means
The term “legally defensible” is often thrown around but rarely understood.
Some believe it means the course content has been legally approved or that specific techniques are sanctioned by law.
This is simply not true.
There is no catalogue of “legal techniques” and there is no government-endorsed list of approved methods.
If such a list existed, as one eminent Professor of English Criminal Law once said, it would circle the world twice and then some.
Being “legally defensible” is not about a tick-box exercise in compliance or quoting statutes in a manual.
It’s about understanding the contextual application of the law and how the principles of necessity, reasonableness, and proportionality are applied when examining the use of force in real situations.
At NFPS Ltd, our approach to legally defensible training is grounded in decades of real-world experience, not just as trainers, but also as Expert Witnesses in use-of-force cases.
We’ve seen first-hand how split-second decisions are dissected in courtrooms, inquiries and tribunals.
What protects individuals and organisations in those moments isn’t the ability to cite legislation but the ability to explain and justify actions clearly, confidently and credibly.
When training is truly defensible, it achieves three critical things:
1. It develops understanding, not just knowledge. Learners don’t just know the law; they understand how and why it applies differently in each unique situation.
2. It builds decision-making capability. Participants learn to assess context, evaluate risk and make proportionate responses under stress.
3. It stands up to scrutiny. Whether in an investigation, tribunal or at court, those trained can articulate their reasoning; explaining why they acted as they did, based on lawful and ethical principles.
In short, “legally defensible” doesn’t mean “approved by law.”
It means “able to withstand legal examination.”
That is what we teach.
From Training to Real-World Protection
Having worked as a Training Consultant since 1994 and an Expert Witness since 2001, I’ve seen countless cases where outcomes depended not just on what someone did, but on how well they could explain it.
NFPS training ensures that learners can do exactly that.
Scott’s case is proof of concept.
His training empowered him not only to act within the law but to demonstrate, clearly and confidently, that his actions were lawful, necessary and proportionate.
That’s what sets NFPS apart.
We don’t just teach people to manage conflict; we teach you how to defend your actions when every decision is examined under the harsh light of legal scrutiny.
Train Trainers Who Can Do the Same
If Scott’s experience resonates with you, if you believe that training should equip people not just with techniques but with understanding, then it’s time to deliver training that protects others the same way.
Introducing the BTEC Level 3 Self-Defence Trainer Award
The most legally defensible self-defence qualification available in the UK today.
Why?
Because it’s built on the same principles that helped Scott stand confidently in court:
– A deep understanding of UK self-defence law — not just what to do, but why;
– Evidence-based instruction — training shaped by case law, legislation, and real-world outcomes;
– Ethical decision-making frameworks — teaching learners to think before they act;
– Nationally recognised BTEC qualification — credibility that holds weight when questioned;
– Developed by Use of Force Expert Witnesses and highly respected lawyers and barristers — professionals who have defended training in court
This isn’t a course about reacting faster or hitting harder.
It’s about creating trainers who can help others act lawfully, think clearly and explain confidently when their actions are challenged.
Who Should Enrol
• Security professionals teaching conflict resolution and self-defence.
• Martial arts instructors seeking to teach lawful, defensible methods.
• Trainers in healthcare, education, or public-facing roles.
• Anyone responsible for teaching others to protect themselves within the law.
What You’ll Gain
• The expertise to deliver training that stands up under legal scrutiny.
• The confidence to instruct others in high-stakes environments.
• A nationally recognised qualification in defensible self-defence training.
• The satisfaction of knowing your work could one day protect someone’s freedom.
Your Training Could Be Someone’s Lifeline
Scott’s story is living proof that the right training doesn’t just prepare people for confrontation, it prepares them for accountability.
If you want to equip others not just to stay safe, but to stand strong in the face of legal or organisational challenge, this is the course for you.
Learn more and enrol on the NFPS BTEC Level 3 Self-Defence Trainer Award – https://nfps.info/self-defence-trainer-training-2/
About the Author
Trevel Henry is the Director of NFPS Ltd and a recognised Expert Witness and Training Consultant specialising in conflict management, physical intervention and workplace safety.
With decades of experience, Trevel and his team provide legally sound, evidence-based training designed to reduce risk, promote positive practice and ensure defensibility when incidents occur.
Learn more and enrol on the NFPS BTEC Level 3 Self-Defence Trainer Award – https://nfps.info/self-defence-trainer-training-2/