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Have you always prided yourself on being a law-abiding UK citizen? I hate to tell you this but I’m afraid this may not still be the case once you’re done reading this article. With lockdown back and in full swing, we thought we would lighten the mood with a brief look at the weird and wonderful laws we’re expected to abide by. But a brief word of warning: the chances are you’ve broken at least one of these weird UK laws in your lifetime.
Below, we have comprised a list of the 10 weirdest laws in the UK. If you have any questions around a legal matter and need support from a solicitor, please don’t hesitate to visit our contact us page or call our solicitors in Brighton directly on 020 3007 5500.
10. It’s illegal to be drunk in a pub
One weird UK law which may come as a big shock to many is the fact you’re not actually allowed to be drunk in a pub. According to the Metropolitan Act of 1839, it’s against the law for the “keeper of a public house to permit drunkenness on-premises”. Under the Licensing Act 2003, it’s also illegal to serve acholic beverages to patrons who are already intoxicated or purchase alcohol on behalf of someone who is already drunk.
So, if you leave the house and drink over three to four pints, you might be facing a £200 fine.
9. It’s illegal to carry a plank of wood along a pavement
One weird UK law which may come as a big shock to many is the fact you’re not actually allowed to be drunk in a pub. According to the Metropolitan Act of 1839, it’s against the law for the “keeper of a public house to permit drunkenness on-premises”. Under the Licensing Act 2003, it’s also illegal to serve acholic beverages to patrons who are already intoxicated or purchase alcohol on behalf of someone who is already drunk.
So, if you leave the house and drink over three to four pints, you might be facing a £200 fine.
7. It’s an offence to handle a salmon and look at all suspicious
Definitely, a worthy contender on this list of the weirdest UK laws is handling a salmon suspiciously. More amazingly, this law even has its own act as section 32 of the Salmon Act 1986 that covers the suspicious handling of the fish.
However, although this law may sound a bit fishy, it does make more sense when understanding the context of the law coming into play. The Salmon Act 1986 was aimed at people selling fish through illegal means, rather than people hanging around dark alleyways clutching a salmon.
If fishing isn’t your thing, you may instead want to familiarise yourself with sub-section 3 of section 54 in the Metropolitan Police Act 1839. This section covers any ‘mischief, misbehaviour and negligence’ in driving a herd of cattle through town.
6. UK law states it’s illegal to linger after a funeral
Perhaps the saddest weird UK law is the fact you’re not allowed to linger after a funeral.
Even more sadly, it’s a law that has also been enforced. In 2015, Frank Blades wasn’t in any rush to leave the graveside of his wife. Frank stayed for an extra 20 minutes after the funeral and was punished by receiving a £160 fine. The fine was originally put in place to allow gravediggers to carry out their work.
5. Illegal to pay with your phone at a drive-through whilst your car is still running
This law dates back to the mobile phone laws from 2003 that outline when it’s illegal to touch a phone or a handset while driving. So, if you’re handling your phone while the engine is running, you’re technically using your phone while operating a car.
Scarily, the punishments for paying using your phone with the engine running at a drive-through are severe.
Pulling up to the window at your local McDonald’s and paying with your smartphone with the engine on can get you slapped with a £200 fine and six penalty points if spotted by police. In circumstances where your driving is particularly careless at a drive-through as a result of using your phone, you may have a court case and £1,000 fine on your hands.
Furthermore, if you only recently passed your practical driving test in the past two years, you face a ban from driving.
4. It’s against the law to jump the queue at a tube station
Definitely, a worthy contender on this list of the weirdest UK laws is handling a salmon suspiciously. More amazingly, this law even has its own act as section 23 of the Salmon Act 1986 that covers the suspicious handling of the fish.
However, although this law may sound a bit fishy, it does make more sense when understanding the context of the law coming into play. The Salmon Act 1986 was aimed at people selling fish through illegal means, rather than people hanging around dark alleyways clutching a salmon.
If fishing isn’t your thing, you may instead want to familiarise yourself with sub-section 3 of section 54 in the Metropolitan Police Act 1839. This section covers any ‘mischief, misbehaviour and negligence’ in driving a herd of cattle through town.
3. It’s an act of treason to put a British stamp on upside down
This is one of the weirdest UK laws, but mostly because of its punishment. Sticking a stamp upside down in absolute defiance on an envelope is considered an attempt to dispose of the monarch in the Treason Felony Act of 1848.
Because this is still considered an act of treason, you could technically be sentenced to imprisonment. Thankfully, the part of the law that previously stated you would be ‘transported beyond the seas for the term of your natural life’ has been repealed.
We’ll leave this law to you to test at your own risk.
2. Weird UK law preventing you from sliding on ice or snow in London
Making or using a slide “upon ice or snow in any street or other thoroughfare” is banned if it creates “common danger” to your fellow Londoners, according to The Metropolitan Police Act of 1989.
Any person guilty of such an offence could be liable to receive a fine of up to £500.
If the thought of making a slide on ice is too extreme for you, we’re sorry to inform you that even more mundane activities like flying a kite, or ‘playing any game to the annoyance of the inhabitants’ are also prohibited.
1. Sounding your horn through anger
Sounding a horn aggressively because you are annoyed or frustrated could land you with a fine of £50, with the possibility of it rising to £1,000 if you were to go to court, contest it and lose.
You may still face this fine, even if a pedestrian or driver acts dangerously or is at fault in some way. It’s also against the law to sound a horn whilst the vehicle is stationary or while in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am.
How can Britton and Time Solicitors help?
If you have a legal matter and need legal assistance, we can help. We offer initial consultations where you’ll receive:
- Unlimited time to go through the details of your case and ask any questions you may have
- An overview of your legal standpoint and your available options
- A precise time and fee estimate for your case
To arrange your initial consultation with one of our solicitors, simply call us on 020 3007 5500.
this is really stupid
bro it says that its against the law to sound your horn because of anger. OMGG WTF BRO
pahaha some weird laws LMFAO
shut up
how about you shut up
no you shut up you stupid cow
no you close that mouth of yours for life you stupid cow
Pebis
SCOTTISH REBELLION!
Delete my comment?
i did all these just for the sake
kys
uwe
Omg I broke the law of knock knock rum it’s a game where u knock and run ???????
Yeah my big bro does it
I cannot believe this s..t in a supposedly evolving country and world, and to read that someone grieiving for their wife was fined for staying longer after her funeral, well, not only are many laws rubbish, shame on the individual who actually caused the man to be fined. There is so much stupidity, discrimination and conflict within British law.
ratioooooooooooooooooooooooo
XD lol
pyrocynical brought me here loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool
the plank of wood had me LMAO
Wow its against the law to get drunk in a pub wtf what’s the whole point in that I can’t understand that one unless they just mean people who are nasty when there drunk I get drunk in a pub alot but I never go nasty on the drink I can handle my drink well
language
I played ding dong ditch when I was little and still do once I got caught when I was nine and the owner screamed at me. She told me if I don’t get off her property in 5 seconds she will call the police, sadly, my friend ran away before the women came out so I was all alone but then I ran when she said that. Then I never went near her house again. I’m surprised it was against the law, I’m glad she didn’t call the police or I would be dead meat if they charged my mum a £500 fine
Yeah I used to play knock a door run with my friends and once on my street one of my friends did it to someone I knew on my street. She did it twice. The first time we both ran across the road and I told her not to do it again because I could get in trouble but she did it again anyway. She was a b*tch who didn’t listen to anything and I’m not friends with her now.
legality != morality. Get rid of them all…
this is bad
i think it is very good
I was Learning about laws and crimes in school and my teacher sent this as homework. It is crazy to think that this only 10 meaning there is more.This is ridiculous.
Omg my mu. Broke the law in anger honking the horn
I wonder why you felt the need to do that and why you did not bother to consider how it might upset or annoy others – it’s not all about you. Shame you didn’t get caught and prosecuted
Karen 🙂
no
you racist
From the frying wok and into the fire
this is daft
I love these old forgotten laws
So wierd. My friend did knock knock ginger once. He got in huge trouble LOL
PLS A PLANK OF WOOD AHAHAHA
HAHAH A PLANK OF WOOD
Well it’s a good thing I’ve never been drunk at a pub( nervously tugs on collar)
does it count if i drag the plank of wood- technically its not carrying so… ?? (don’t arrest me please)
This is soo funny! all u lot r getting so wound up 2…
chill
Hello
Shut up Anonymous
No, just chill!
Yeah Chill!
Now u shut up new anonymous this is r fight
Copycat with the name
EVERYONE, I AM THE BEST
DING DONG
There’s nothing like blowing your own trumpet, is there!
Everyone is sssssooooo stressed nowadays
looking through comments
“shut up”
“how about you shut up”
haah!!!
Hello Chill guys
u just mind ur own busnes
u idiot
See what I mean
haah!
You can’t get drunk in a pub? Thats something for sure