Overview

'A fascinating list of absurdities ... an extraordinary work ... remarkable and praiseworthy ... an extraordinary achievement.' - Sir Michael Parkinson CBE - Broadcaster, journalist & author In the UK, we have some bizarre laws that have littered the statute books of our sceptred isle throughout history. Not all of them have been repealed over the centuries. Some of them made perfect sense at the time they were introduced but seen through modern eyes, now appear archaic and draconian. Despite the great efforts of the Law Commission in England and Wales to review and recommend reforms for many of these outdated laws, there are centuries of law that must be painstakingly gone through. As well as some bizarre laws, the UK also has its fair share of curious customs and time-honoured traditions that have been observed for centuries. On the surface, many appear to be nothing more than theatrical pomp and pageantry. However, they are all born from strong rationale. The UK parliament seems to have had a particular penchant for passing laws related to fish and animals, indecency and passing sentences with some humiliating public punishments. This compendium book, a combination of all 3 volumes from this book series, is a highly entertaining read for anyone who enjoys learning about the more bizarre applications of UK law throughout the centuries, along with some rather macabre consequences along the way. Have you ever heard a bizarre law and thought, that can't possibly be true? Is it genuine? Was it ever in existence or just an urban myth that became so embellished over time? There are surprisingly, a great many laws still in existence on the statute books today, that would make your jaw drop. Whilst bizarre as these laws may now seem to us, it begs the question, are we in fact, unknowingly breaking these laws on a regular basis? For example... It is illegal to own a pet whale but not a tiger It is illegal to keep a 'lunatic' without a licence Unsurprisingly, it is illegal to cause a nuclear explosion Magistrates are legally required to bind over every person of good behaviour It is illegal for any person to be drunk in a pub Granny farming is illegal during general elections It is illegal to be found on church grounds, dressed as a giant gerbil whilst digging up the petunias ...all these questions and more will be answered in this latest book by Monty Lord, with a foreword by the former Lord Chancellor, The Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE KC MP. Reading this book, you may be inclined to laugh heartily, let out a sorrowful cry or recoil in abject horror at some of the more gruesome sentences passed for breaking these weird laws. With over 440 bizarre but nevertheless true, laws and customs, you can use this book to satisfy your curiosity about what our ancestors had to contend with over the years, or perhaps as a reference guide for trivia quizzes.

Full Product Details

9781916605138

Table of Contents

Reviews

'A fascinating list of absurdities ... an extraordinary work ... remarkable and praiseworthy ... an extraordinary achievement.' - Sir Michael Parkinson CBE, Broadcaster, journalist & author 'A curious, comical and highly entertaining read, full of eccentric laws and customs that have led to our rich legal heritage.' - Lubna Shuja, President of The Law Society of England and Wales 'An endlessly fascinating journey through the extraordinary laws that have shaped every aspect of British society from Anglo-Saxon times to the present day. Impeccably researched and engagingly, often humorously written, it delivers so many jaw-dropping moments that I found it impossible to put down. A truly remarkable book.' - Tracy Borman, Chief Curator for HM Historic Royal Palaces, Author, historian & broadcaster 'A fascinating book, well assembled and written ... an enjoyable and fascinating book.' - William Roache, OBE, Actor, 'Ken Barlow' in Coronation Street 'An engaging and light-hearted portrayal of the judicial system over the centuries, presented by an extraordinary 17-year-old.' - Cherie Blair CBE, KC 'Monty Lord demonstrates an incredibly deep understanding of the UK's constitutional and legal heritage, and conveys to the reader these complex customs in a clear and entertaining way ... Monty Lord's brilliant writing makes this book accessible to everyone ... I hope this book inspires more people to enter the legal profession, where they can encounter these fascinating customs first hand.' - The Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE KC MP, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain (2019-21), Secretary of State for Justice (2019-21), Solicitor General for England and Wales (2014-19) 'In a highly entertaining jaunt through the sheer weirdness of British legal quirks and customs, Monty Lord shows why this country has both the most dysfunctional and the most effective system of government in the modern world. Enthralling and exasperating at the same time, Lord provides a crash course in the oddities Britain cherishes, for overseas and domestic readers to gorge upon, no doubt with a sense of bemusement along the way. Funny and fascinating from beginning to end.' - Chris Daw KC, Barrister 'This is a terrific book, entertaining, informative and quirky. Apparently, I broke another law yesterday I hadn't heard of. I loved it.' - HH Nigel Lithman KC, former Crown Court Judge & author

Author Information

Monty Lord has a strong interest in challenging injustices through the law. He became a BBC Young Reporter and a Director and Legal/Investigative Reporter for Young Legal Eagles. As a world memory champion, Monty is the youngest person in the United Kingdom with the most world records, holding 5 Guinness World Records for world memory challenges. An accomplished public speaker, Monty has spoken avidly about The Rule of Law, access to the law for children and young people and using enhanced memory techniques to address inequalities in the education system. He's spoken about the rights of the child at TEDx talks, Amnesty International and to world leaders at the United Nations in Geneva. He advocates for children and young people at the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth. Monty sits on the committee of Amnesty UK's Children's Human Rights Network. The Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE KC MP; Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain (2019-21); Secretary of State for Justice (2019-21); Solicitor General for England and Wales (2014-19)

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available