You may remember that last year you debunked the myth that it is illegal to eat chopped pies on Christmas Day, and we confirmed that it is indeed illegal to hunt game on December 25. As Christmas gets closer and closer, we thought it would be fun to share other laws (and myths!) around the holiday season. In the 12 days leading up to Christmas, we looked at some of the obscure laws that exist, some of which still exist! If you missed a post on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, they`re listed below. So let`s go! This should clarify some common myths and the actual laws around the holiday season. Remember, the law is there to protect you, not to ruin your Christmas. Eat, drink and be joyful. Merry Christmas from all of us at Osborne Morris & Morgan. As the holiday season approaches, we look at twelve “laws” and determine their legality with a festive touch. That`s not true. Workplace lights should be checked for obvious damage before use, but do not require a PAT (Portable Appliance Test) every year. The same common sense applies to the lights in your home. There are no laws about how often you should test them – just take precautions and don`t leave them while you`re outside the house.
2. It is illegal to sell Christmas crackers to anyone under the age of 12. The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 state that “an economic operator may not make a pyrotechnic article available on the market. to a person under [12 years of age]”, in reference to Christmas crackers. Prior to these regulations, the age limit was 16, but was reduced to 12 as part of the government`s 2013 decision to abolish unnecessary laws. You may be in a hurry to get in and around the places at Christmas, but remember that according to TfL Railways regulations, anyone queuing up by an authorized person or sign must reach the end of the queue and follow the appropriate instructions from each authorized person who settles the queue. Something to keep in mind when releasing your Christmas cards this year. The Treason Felony Act of 1848 prohibited any crime with intent to depose the monarch. However, it seems unlikely that the implementation of a stamp will be upset. According to a spokeswoman for the Royal Mail, there is no penalty for a stamp to be returned.
In 2013, the Law Commission produced a light report to debunk a number of common legal misunderstandings. We look at some of the “laws” mentioned in this report, as well as other outdated and modern “laws” and examine their legality with a festive touch. It`s the holiday season again, when everyone is a little happier than usual and there`s palpable joy and a pine smell in the air. Parents strive to create holiday memories for their children, and children are excited to learn family traditions. I grew up in England, so my memories are on the other side of a huge ocean. There are certain traditions that I want my children to have, so I have to import certain items. There`s nothing better than the joy of seeing your child discover that they love your favorite chocolates. I love chopped pies, which are a Christmas tradition in England. These are small pies (the size of a small cupcake) with a dough bowl and a sweet filling of raisins and sebum. I`m not the only one – in 2010, a national store in England was selling a million chopped pies a week in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
When I have a visiting friend, I give him one of my secret supplies. This act of true generosity and kindness is usually answered with a look of curiosity or, more commonly, disgust. I believe many of my American friends think I`m giving them a raw, cold meat cake that, in combination with offering coagulated cream (another English delicacy I keep carefully hidden), scares away some friends. If you plan to travel to Wales or Northern Ireland, you must follow the rules of that country and read the guidelines of Wales or Northern Ireland before travelling. You can`t travel to or from Scotland to form a Christmas bubble, and you can`t leave a level 4 area to join a Christmas bubble in a decentralised administration. You cannot join a Christmas bubble until you have completed your 10-day or 5-day self-isolation period with a negative test result. You should not form a Christmas bubble if you have coronavirus symptoms or if you isolate yourself. The Pawnbrokers Act of 1787 prohibited pawnshops from opening for business on Christmas Day. Result: IllegalBe careful and be aware of how much you are drinking this festive season, have fun, but be sure! If necessary, you can stay in a hotel, hostel or B&B in England during the Christmas season, according to the rules of your level.
This also applies in a Level 3 zone between December 24 and 26, as long as you remain alone or with other members of your household or support bubble. You shouldn`t gather like a Christmas bubble in a hotel, hostel, or B&B on any level unless a member of your Christmas bubble lives there permanently. The Competition and Markets Authority has warned that consumers looking for bargains during the sale before Christmas and Boxing Day may not be up to the task of sellers who agree to set prices. The Autorité de la concurrence et des marchés is committed to protecting consumers and preventing online retailers from violating competition law, given the recent decision by an online poster seller to agree with one competitor not to undercut the other`s prices when selling on Amazon. Fines for anti-competitive activities can be up to 10% of a company`s worldwide turnover. On December 25, you can also visit a place of worship with members of your Christmas bubble if you choose to create one. You should continue to adopt safe behaviors, including creating space between members of different households wherever you can. As long as the staff is equipped with the right equipment such as stepladders and does not violate health and safety rules, there is no reason why employees cannot enter the Christmas spirit with garlands and plants. Door-to-door Christmas Caroling can take place in a group of up to six participants in levels 1 to 3. If there are more than six people in total, each “group” is not allowed to interact, “mix” or socialize. In level 4, singers can only be in a group of up to two participants, unless they come from the same household or support bubble. Participants must follow public health advice, including ensuring that you stay at least 2 m away from the people you do not live with and the housing threshold.
The origin of the ban dates back to early 1642, when England was on the brink of civil war, in which it was to act as a republic for a short time under Oliver Cromwell. The ban was related to fasting and the Puritan movement in England, where Puritans believed that Christmas was a “papal” tradition that led people to sinful behavior by indulging in excesses of food and behavior. In 1642, Parliament passed a decree that made the last Wednesday of each month a day of fasting. In 1644, fasting fell on the same day that Christmas was traditionally celebrated, and he was asked to refrain from it. Parliament rejected the following: from 2 December, the rules on who you can meet in bars, pubs and restaurants will depend on your level. The rules may be different for indoor and outdoor dining. Check the rules of your level. You need to follow the rules according to your level, where you can go and who you can meet on New Year`s Eve. Your Christmas bubble no longer applies. In most places in the UK, this means you can`t mingle with other indoor households.
One in three people who have the coronavirus has no symptoms and will spread it without realizing it. It is important that these rules are followed by everyone. Starting December 2, tips for traveling outside of your level, including overnight stays, will depend on your level. Check the rules of your level. *This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. 8. It is illegal to participate in sports activities other than archery at Christmas, under the Illegal Gambling Act passed by Henry VIII in 1541. Archery was considered essential to maintain the country`s military strength.
Later, “jumping and vaulting” was added, which allowed young men to stay fit and strong. As with other stories that often appear around the holidays, sometimes the belief emerges that it is illegal in England to eat chopped pies on Christmas Day, so chopped pie lovers have to eat these treats behind closed doors and closed curtains. In 2015, the Law Commission fortunately confirmed that there is no current law prohibiting occasional minced meat; However, such a ban existed in England, a few centuries ago in the 17th century, and what followed the ban on Thin Pie was a ban on celebrating Christmas in its entirety. Verdict: Repealed, but it is possible. However, we doubt that this will happen! A warning to all the Christmas carol singers who ring the doorbell this year.