It is illegal to walk along the pavement while carrying a plank of wood unless there is an intention of it being unloaded or taken into a vehicle. The law dates back to medieval times when overloaded carts would often lose planks of wood from them, which would fall onto the pavement posing a danger to pedestrians.
1. It's illegal to carry planks of wood along a pavement unless there is the intention of it being unloaded from a vehicle. The Metropolitan Police Act says, “A plank of wood must not be carried along a pavement. It can only be moved if it is being unloaded from a vehicle or taken into a building.”
It is illegal to linger after a funeral
It may be a sad occasion but mourners who spend too long lingering at a funeral could find themselves in trouble. According to UK law, people are not allowed to hang around for too long following the ceremony and this is a law that is still enforced.
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”.
Being drunk in a public place or a pub is probably the most common law to be broken, but flying a kite or knocking on strangers' doors and running away can also get you in trouble. See how many of these weird laws have you been (un)knowingly breaking.
The United Kingdom has four legal systems, each of which derives from a particular geographical area for a variety of historical reasons: English and Welsh law, Scots law, Northern Ireland law, and, since 2007, purely Welsh law as a result of Welsh devolution, with further calls for a Welsh justice system.
No evidence This was cited as a law by a law firm in Swansea in 2006,7 but we have found no evidence of it. It is illegal for a lady to eat chocolates on a public conveyance. No evidence We can find no trace of such an offence, and it seems unlikely that it would be gender-specific.
You can't knock and run
Knocking on a stranger's door and running away isn't just an annoying prank played by kids. It is an illegal act according to UK law. Fun fact: this childhood game goes by many names including Ding Dong Ditch, Knock Knock Ginger and Nicky Nicky Nine Doors. All are apparently illegal.
It's all fun and games until you read the 1839 Metropolitan Police Act. It states that it is a crime to “wilfully and wantonly disturb any inhabitant by pulling or ringing any door-bell or knocking at any door without lawful excuse”. Not only is 'Knock-a-door-run' a criminal offence, but so apparently is sledding!
Flying a kite with friends on a lovely summer day in the park might seem like a great idea, but under section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 this is actually illegal. The law was originally brought in to prevent there being common nuisances and any danger to local passengers.
It is illegal to gamble in a library.
It also creates the offense of failing to leave the library after the fixed closing hours if the offender has been properly warned. These offenses are punishable with a fine.
The Salmon Act 1986 says you'll be punished for 'Handling salmon [or fish] in suspicious circumstances'. As far as weird UK laws go, you'd probably think this one was the most bizarre.
Handling a salmon and looking at all suspicious
It may seem bizarre but the law does make sense when understanding the context. The Salmon Act 1986 aimed to stop people selling fish illegally on the black market, rather than a person loitering in a dark alley while brandishing a salmon.
Handling a salmon in suspicious circumstances sounds like it may be an archaic law, but it is in fact enshrined in Section 32 of the Salmon Act 1986. It is aimed at selling fish gained through illicit means - rather than people furtively skulking around dark corners clutching their Salmo salar.
Is it illegal to carry a screwdriver in public? Screwdrivers are not considered bladed articles under UK law, however, like many items – and for the reasons outlined above – a number of factors such as intent and purpose could see it classified as an offensive weapon.
Dressing up as a sailor
Genuinely. According to the Seamen's and Soldiers' False Characters Act 1906, it is illegal to pass yourself off as a member of the Armed Forces. So going as someone in the navy to a fancy-dress party could technically land you up to three months in prison.
Is car dooring illegal? It is an offence under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 to 'open, or cause or permit to be opened, any door of a vehicle on a road so as to injure or endanger any person'.
You can use reasonable force to protect yourself or others if a crime is taking place inside your home. This means you can: protect yourself 'in the heat of the moment' - this includes using an object as a weapon. stop an intruder running off - for example by tackling them to the ground.
Singing in Public
Singing or reciting in public is not legal. It also extends to ballads or obscene songs. Breaking this law means imprisonment and a fine for violators.
Women will always be happy to get a chocolate. And by women we don't mean your life partner only but it could be a friend, a lover, a sister, a colleague, or a mother. As we just mentioned there is no exact occasion that is suitable to give her a chocolate, but here is 7 reasons to give her chocolate.
Is it illegal to eat while driving in Australia? No – as long as you maintain control of your vehicle.
This fact sheet introduces the different types of law that govern Australia – statute law made by parliament, delegated law made by government and common law made by courts.
Statute of Marlborough 1267: This statute established the common law in England, including the principle of due process, the right to a fair trial, and the requirement that legal disputes be resolved by a jury.