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
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.