April Fools Day Quiz

Can you identify the April Fool’s Day law?

For something a bit different to this month’s round-up – and as it’s April Fool’s Day – we’ve put together a little quiz. 

English Law is full of unusual laws which have remained in place, despite obviously serving a purpose at some point in time, but which have a complete lack of relevance to 2024. 

So we going to list TEN laws – of which SIX are genuine UK Laws and FOUR will be completely made up. See if you can identify the rogue FOUR.

And NO Googling!

LAW 1 – Placing a Stamp Upside Down is an Act of Treason.

In the same way that defacing banknotes is considered a criminal act, a stamp is considered a form of currency.

By placing a stamp containing the image of a reigning monarch upside down it is considered to be “dishonouring” the Monarch’s image.

LAW 2 – It is illegal to be found drunk in a pub or on licensed premises in England & Wales.

Dating back to the 19th Century, the offence states that ; “Every person found drunk on any highway or other public place, whether a building or not or any licensed premises.”

The law was also extended in the late 1980’s to include all public places – including pubs, clubs and even private homes where alcohol is being sold.

LAW 3 – Shaking your rug in the Street.

We’ve all done it right? A quick way to get the dust off our rugs is to give it a quick shake in the middle of the street. 

Well you might think again now you know that you could be breaking the law given that “it is illegal for anybody to beat or shake any carpets, rugs or mats, except for doormats prior to 8 am.”

LAW 4 – Speaking Welsh in Oswestry on a Wednesday

Back in the 16th Century, tensions between the Welsh and the English were rife and in the (then) border town of Oswestry it was prohibited for anyone to speak Welsh on a Wednesday. 

Wednesday was the town’s market day, when traders would come from across the area to trade their wears. In an attempt to keep trade local, a law prohibiting trading in the Welsh language was introduced in a bid to repel those from over the border. 

The law was never removed from English Law.

LAW 5 – MPs cannot wear any armour inside Parliament quarters.

An Act which dates back to the 1300’s is still in force today which forbids Members of Parliament wearing full suits of armour in Parliament. 

Despite the protests of many MPs over the years…

LAW 6 – Drunk Driving Cattle. 

Under the Licensing Act, we all know that it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle under the influence of drink, but did you know that it is also an offence to herd cattle whilst being drunk? 

The law was brought in to help protect both the cattle and members of the public.

LAW 7 – Using an outdoor toilet between 11pm – 5am. 

Dating back to the late 19th/early 20th Century, when “outhouses” were the common location for the household toilet. 

In Burnley, Lancashire, a law was introduced to prohibit the use of the outdoor toilet between those hours.

The aim was to minimise disturbance for mill-workers to help ensure they could work their long hours more productively following a better nights sleep.

LAW 8 – It is against the law to stand still in a field in a lightening storm.

Following a spate of deaths in the late 18th century it was made illegal to stand still in a field during a lightening storm. 

One of several weather-related laws that was introduced around that time, it was also made illegal to swim in the Thames where “the flooding banks have been breached above the watermark” – the fear being that raw sewage which had contaminated the river would encourage the spread of fatal illnesses.

LAW 9 – Knock-a-door, run. 

For generations of children – “knock-a-door, run” has been seen as a harmless pastime. However, participating in the game is actually a criminal act. 

The criminality comes in the intention of knocking on a door or ringing a doorbell without lawful excuse – making millions of children over the years complicit in criminal activity.

LAW 10 – You cannot gamble in a library

Gambling in public places in the UK is illegal – and given that libraries are meant to be a place of study and concentration, a specific law was introduced to prohibit gambling in libraries to allow people to read their books undisturbed.

So those are your 10 laws, but which are the red herrings. We’ll reveal the answers on our social media channels today.

How We Can Help

Of course, on a serious note, we are here to offer advice about any genuine criminal, motoring, sexual offence or regulatory law cases. Please don’t hesitate to call us on 0161 477 1121 or email us for more information.