English Laws The most stupid ones you have come across?

Question

Why do the British people put up with Laws that go back to the 18th centuary and beyond, why are they still use.

Answer 1

You need to understand that English Law is much more flexible that American Law. In American Law the rules are very strict, you have the US Code for example which clearly sets out the law and always has to be followed. No such thing exists in English Law, many laws that still exist in English Law are never actually enforced, to the point that their lack of enforcement means they are effectively no longer laws (even though they haven't been officially written out of law). Judges are allowed to use their discretion a lot more to decide which laws need to be enforced and which don't.

There are however still many stupid laws that exist that are still enforced, for example laws restricting gambling in pubs (you are only allowed to play really old games that nobody knows how to play anymore), and a law that states you can't ride a bicycle on a footpath (which is stupid because it is much safer in many cases).

To the poster above: I hope you realise that those supposed laws are really just obscure examples that fit under other laws, they aren't real laws in themselves. Take this one for example:

"In Hereford you may not shoot a Welsh person on Sunday with a longbow in the Cathedral Close." - Yes it is true, you can't do that in Hereford. But the reason for it isn't because there is a specific law saying that, it's because shooting someone consitutes grievous bodily harm or murder (depending on the outcome), which is illegal.

Answer 2

As somebody on the different end of the comparable spectrum (i'm American and moved to Japan and that i'm getting my PhD in eastern Literature right here), I understand your frustration ok, in spite of the incontrovertible fact that it incredibly is substantial to submit to in techniques which you're no longer a community English speaker, and so there is mostly a probability which you will make errors. Heck, i've got translated books from eastern to English and wrote my one hundred forty website M.A. thesis in eastern, and that i nevertheless make stupid errors. yet that's ok! by way of fact think of roughly it this way: you picked up and moved all the way all over the realm, discovered a sparkling language, and immersed your self in a fashion of existence thoroughly distant places to the single you have been stated in. lots of the individuals who snort at you won't be ready to assert that approximately themselves - yet regardless of in the event that they do no longer are attentive to it, they are all fortunate to have met you, given which you could help strengthen their own view of the international. ????????????????

Answer 3

I've just found these on a website of stupid laws from around the world...

With the exception of carrots, most goods may not be sold on Sunday.

All English males over the age 14 are to carry out 2 or so hours of longbow practice a week supervised by the local clergy.

London Hackney Carriages (taxis/cabs) must carry a bale of hay and a sack of oats.

It is illegal to be drunk on Licensed Premises (in a pub or bar).

It is illegal for two adult men to have sex in the same house as a third person.

A Chelsea Pensioner may not be impersonated.

A bed may not be hung out of a window.

It is illegal for a lady to eat chocolates on a public conveyance.

Mince pies are not to be eaten on Christmas Day.

Any boy under the age of 10 may not see a naked mannequin.

It is illegal to leave baggage unattended.

Picking up abandoned baggage is an act of terrorism.

It is illegal for a Member of Parliament to enter the House of Commons wearing a full suit of armour.

If a steam locomotive is driven on roads, a man must walk in front of the vehicle with a red flag during the day and a red lantern at night to warn passers-by.

All steam locomotives are limited to 4mph on roads.

You may not make out in public.

It is legal for a male to urinate in public, as long it is on the rear wheel of his motor vehicle and his right hand is on the vehicle.

Committing suicide is classified as a capital crime.

Interfering with the mail or sleeping with the consort of the Queen is classed as treason, and as such, carries a maximum penalty of death.

Placing a postage stamp that bears the Queen (or King) upside down is considered treason.

Freemen (or women) of the city of London (Those who have had the honour of the freedom of the city bestowed upon them) have the right to heard their cattle over any of London's bridges at any time)

In Chester you can only shoot a Welsh person with a bow and arrow inside the city walls and after midnight.

In Hereford you may not shoot a Welsh person on Sunday with a longbow in the Cathedral Close.

In Liverpool it is illegal for a woman to be topless in public except as a clerk in a tropical fish store, or in a bank if handling foreign currency.

In London companies may vote in local elections.

In York excluding Sundays, it is perfectly legal to shoot a Scotsman with a bow and arrow

In Scotland you may not fish on Sundays.

In Scotland it is illegal to be a drunk in possession of a cow.

In Scotland trespassing on someone else's land is legal.

In Scotland you are presumed guilty until proven innocent for some crimes.

In Scotland if someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your toilet, you must let them enter.