Little-known law that Brits won't know they're breaking while drinking in a pub

12 June 2023 , 19:44

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Some old laws still in legislation could make trips to the pub look very different (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A trip down the pub is a firm favourite for many when it comes to an afternoon well spent.

But a bizarre and little-known alcohol law could make a trip to the local an entirely different trip out - preventing people from getting anywhere near carried away.

There are two pieces of law where you can find this, the first being the Metropolitan Police Act 1839. - which states you cannot allow drunkenness at a pub.

This was the first act prohibiting drunkenness but has since been repealed and, instead, we have the Licensing Act of 1872 that still prohibits being drunk at a pub, reports MyLondon.

In Section 12 of the act it says: "Every person found drunk in any highway or other public place, whether a building or not, or on any licensed premises, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten shillings, and on a second conviction within a period of twelve months shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty shillings, and on a third or subsequent conviction within such period of twelve months be liable to a penalty not exceeding forty shillings."

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Law still exists which says nobody is allowed to be drunk at a pub (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The law is no longer enforced in earnest - even though it is still in legislation, it isn't a law in practice.

There are other such laws that were never repealed but won't get you any jail time, like skipping the queue at the Tube (as if queues form on the Tube anymore) and dying in the Houses of Parliament.

There are more modern laws about that apply to being drunk in a pub.

The Licensing Act of 2003 states that it is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone who is knowingly drunk to the seller. Therefore it is not illegal to be drunk but rather the sale of alcohol to those who are drunk.

Since 2008 It has also become illegal to drink on public transport in London. You are not allowed to even carry open bottles or any open containers of alcohol on London transport.

Tai Kolade