The Most Bizarre UK Laws You Could Be Committing

Written by Alexandria Martins-Hesp
Marketing Executive

For the majority of us, we try our best to be the good civilian we were encouraged to be. We pay our taxes, drive at 29mph where needed, and say a friendly “please” and “thank you” to our fellow strangers. But even with all the efforts we put in each day, the odd laws this country still holds can make it very easy to be a rule breaker.

Thanks to Parliament not being so efficient with terminating old laws as they are with making new ones, here are some bizarre rules you may unknowingly be breaking.

bizarre uk laws
It is illegal to be drunk in a pub.

Yep, you read that right. If you think the pub is the perfect place to relax and have a few pints, think again. Even though a pub can provide you with all the alcohol required to get merry, it can also land you with a hefty fine of £200 if you consume an excessive amount. Section 12 of the 1872 Licensing Act specifies that “every person found drunk… on any licensed premises shall be liable to a penalty.”

If you would like to challenge any member of Parliament to a duel, you may want to rethink your outfit choice.

Thanks to the ruling of Edward II, MPs are prohibited from wearing armor in Parliament. This rule comes under the Bearing of Armour Act which dates back to 1313, and was implemented in an attempt to prevent nobles from threatening to use force when Parliament was called.

*Knock-knock* “who’s there?”

Did your child self ever play knock-down ginger? If yes, then you were even breaking laws in your young years. Ringing on someone’s doorbell and then running away violates the Metropolitan Police Act 1854. It’s a crime to “willfully and wantonly disturb any inhabitant by pulling or ringing any doorbell or knocking at any door without lawful excuse” with a maximum penalty of £500 fine.

Craving a roast swan? You best check with the Queen first.

Our great majesty Queen Elizabeth II technically owns all unclaimed swans in the open waters of England and Wales. Historically, this law was formed because swans were eaten as prized food at banquets and feasts. The monarch granted valuable rights of feasting on a swan to a selected few.
At present, swans are no longer eaten and are a protected species. But some wonder if the Queen can still eat swans. As the Queen is immune from prosecution, she could technically eat a swan if she wished to.

Here’s where things get fishy.

Under the Salmon Act 1986, it is illegal to “handle salmon in suspicious circumstances”. Though questionable how Parliament decided to phrase this bizarre act, they put it in place to stop those selling fish gained through unlawful means.

Fancy-dress party coming up? Make sure you don’t go as a soldier or sailor.

The Seamen’s and Soldiers’ False Characters Act 1906 states that a person is committing an offence if they “personate the holder of a certificate of service or discharge”. So an innocent Saving Private Ryan themed outfit could theoretically end you up with a one-month prison sentence.

 

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