in the uk is it legal to swear/insult someone?

Answer 1

It would depend on how you insult them.

Answer 2

it's legal to swear. unless you're in broadcasting, or on tv. then you have a few select swear words. So it is still legal, only certain ones are deemed less objectionable, or less offensive to the average listener, viewer.

Is it legal to insult someone? Well that is a different question.
it depends in what manner you insult them, whether they were offended, hurt, harmed by the insult.; if it's in print and slanderous, and so on. All something the courts decide for each individual case. I'm not aware there is an over riding law for the matter of insults. We'd all be in trouble because we spend so much time being sarcastic to each other in the UK. And most of the time we don't take sarcastic remarks seriously.

Heck, everyone in politics would be in jail for slinging insults if it were illegal!!

Answer 3

No it is not. e.g. using insulting words and /or behaviour is a crime.
But on television Jonathan Ross, Graham Norton and Billy Connolly to name just three people can get away with it because they are highly paid celebrities.
In the same way H G V drivers can get away with using a mobile phone, not wearing a seat belt and during the miners strike in the eighties drinking cans of beer in full view of the police.
Why? Because of a persons wealth in the first instance and in the second the British Road Federation is an extremely powerful organisation.
Who ever said that wealth did not buy justice or protection, we live in a nation built on hypocrisy and double standards.

Answer 4

Insults are regarded as personal opinion and are not actionable (other than perhaps a punch on the nose!). Swearing is a matter of free speech. However there are laws of slander prohibiting derogatory comments which would defame someone's reputation. There are also libel laws covering defamation in the written word

Answer 5

It is an offence to use obscene language it is also an offence to use words and behaviour where a breach of the peace is likely to be occassioned,but this has to be in a public place so no if in private place but not from a private place to a public one such as shouting out of the window

Answer 6

If it's to a white Englishman, you can swear and insult them as much as you want because the Government doesn't deem it a crime unless you do it to someone of ethnic origin. By the way, I'm English and white with no rights whatsoever in my own country.

Answer 7

preventing you from swearing would be abusing your right to free speach.
However if your appallingly anti social language (lol) is coupled with threatening body language towards someone else, you could be charged with assault.
Also depending on the context and nature of what is said and if it will ruin someones reputation and has no basis (extremely simplified law of defamation), the person on the receiving end could sue you for slander.

Answer 8

nope. we have freedom of speech. however, theres a thing called hte 'incitement of racial hatred' which means you cant say anything that would bring out racism in others.

you can say anything to anyone. unless your in a position of power i.e. police or the president or an MP, in which case the even would be publically displayed, then swearing and insulting are not taken any notice of,,,, unless you want to be whacked by the person that your insulting...

Answer 9

all depends. swearing could land you with a disturbiong the piece or violent conduct charge and insulting somene with slanderous comments could land you in court. however, inciting racial or religious hatred and threatening acts of violence or murder are.

Answer 10

It could be construed as an offence under the Public Order Act, which prohibits any public behaviour that causes "fear, alarm or distress".

Best wishes, J