CHRISTMAS fiction?
But your spouse’s family aren’t the only in-laws you may have to battle this Christmas; could a series of antiquated laws leave you at the risk of court action? From peeling spuds for your Christmas roasties to sending cards in the post, we look at ten legal legends to decide whether they are mythological or indeed meaningful laws.
Mince pie consumption banned
on Christmas Day Legend has it, eating mince pies on December 25th could land you in hot water – or mulled wine, so to speak. In true Scrooge style, Oliver Cromwell sought to ban all Christmas celebrations during his reign as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth in the 17th Century. As a Purist he frowned on pointless celebration, exercising his beliefs through the Ordinance for Abolishing Festivals Act 1647. In a bid to turn Christmas back to thoughts of Jesus’ birth rather than an excuse for gluttony, Cromwell swapped Saints’ feasts for fasting days and ordered soldiers to remove all festive food produce from homes.
Off with your head for sticking a stamp
upside down The Treason Felony Act 1848 states that it is illegal to do any act with ‘the intention of depriving or deposing the monarch of the imperial crown of the United Kingdom.’
Festive folk-laws factor
The festive period can bring sackfuls of stress to most households, what with navigating busy shops, preparing lunch and having a turntable of visiting guests.
But while turning the Queen’s head upside down on your Christmas cards may overthrow the balance, the Royal Mail confirms it is not illegal. Your festive greetings may just not get to their intended recipients on time.
Pregnant women legally allowed to relieve themselves
Polish potatoes
banned in England When bulk buying your potatoes to feed the 5,000 at Christmas, be sure to check their origins. Following a ring rot outbreak,
the Polish Potatoes in England Order 2004 prohibited farmers and suppliers importing Polish potatoes unless they gave two-days’ notice to an inspector which dictated their point of entry, variety and intended use.
Don’t beat around the
anywhere they like While on the long, dusty road to Bethlehem, Mary no doubt felt the pressure the unborn Son of God was putting on her bladder. Would she have faced prosecution for sliding off the donkey for a quick toilet break? While there is no specific exemption for pregnant women, urinating in public may be a punishable offence under the Public Order Act 1986 if deemed ‘disorderly behaviour.’ Local authorities are expected to exercise discretion against prosecution based on locality and availability of public toilets.
A stream of
suspicious salmons Under section 32 of the Salmon
Act 1986 it is actually illegal to handle salmon in suspicious circumstances.
This doesn’t mean gently stroking the salmon fillets in your local supermarket, but rather catching or killing a salmon without licence, set to deter poachers.
If fish is on your Christmas menu, make sure it doesn’t have a murky past or it may be your last supper for a while.
rug – or carpet After visitors have trampled through your house this festive period, don’t be tempted to beat any rugs or carpets in the street as it is a legitimate offence under section 60 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1831. However, it’s not all bad news – you can shake your doormat outside before 8am.
A slippery slope for
snowy winters If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, beware the frosty legal implications snowfall can bring to families heading out with a sledge. Section 54 of the Metropolitan
Police Act 1839 prohibits causing ‘nuisance by persons in thoroughfares’ by sliding upon ice or snow in the street. It also warns of common dangers to passengers such as leaving sledges to stand in the street, interrupting public crossing or causing obstructions.
Pubs can pull the
plug on beer sales The festive season brings out revelers in their merry millions but
a few too many Yuletide cocktails could leave you liable for a £200 penalty if you are found to be drunk on licensed premises under section 12 of the Licensing Act 1872. Licensees are also prohibited from selling alcohol to a drunk person under the Licensing Act 2003 so, if you are turned away from the bar this Christmas, staff are well within their rights.
Home alone? Beware of house alarm rules
A popular Christmas film series depicts a young boy setting booby traps against burglars having been separated from his parents. But if young Kevin had set the house alarm when he popped to the store, he could have found himself in the dock too.
If you leave home and activate your alarm this Christmas, be sure to nominate a ‘key holder’ who can access your property and switch it off if it sounds. Failure to do so can lead to prosecution under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
The One where they didn’t pay their TV licence
If you’re planning to binge watch reams of Christmas specials in `real time’ this year, make sure you have a TV licence.
Under the Communications Act 2003, anyone watching live television programmes must hold a licence, even if they don’t have a TV. You must also obtain one if you download or stream BBC series’ from its iPlayer service or face a fine up to £1,000.
SEASON’S GREETINGS from all at Elmhirst Parker Solicitors
17/19 Regent Street, Barnsley, S70 2HP (also in Royston, Selby and Sherburn-in-Elmet)
www.elmhirstparker.com Tel: 01226 282238
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