Trespassing Laws

Former Member

My Dad once told me that there was a law when he was younger, that said that if you paid Sixpence to the landowner, you were no longer trespassing. As far as he is aware, that law's not been overturned.

So I'm curious to know, has that law been overruled by another, or is it one of those old laws like you can't shoot a welshman outside the walls of cheltenham except for on a sunday morning (or something like that!!)

Former Member

that law will be a little outdated, but the principle would either be that you have created a binding contract with consideration provided. or that you have purchased a licence to be on the land.

i'm not entirely sure it's a strange rule, probably higher flying law students could answer it with more words.

littlemissy

It *was* a law in the Isle of Man. Click! However, I'm too lazy to do a concise google about whether it was throughout the UK and whether it is still there.

There are many bizarre laws so I would be quite surprised if it has changed, but I don't know :chin:

Former Member

It might still be a law but I don't think people these days would much appreciate a sixpence in return for you letting them on your land.

Skive

Intrestingly trespass is not a criminal offence.

Former Member

Trespass is a civil offence. It's up to the landowner to press charges, the crown won't. The landowner, the landowner's agents or the police under direction from the landowner have the right to remove trespassers from their property using reasonable force.
Trespass only becomes a criminal offence if it is aggravated trespass, which was brought in under the 1994 Criminal Justice Act. Aggravated trespass takes place when the trespasser trespasses to disrupt or attempt to disrupt any lawful activity taking place on that property or adjoining property - brought in to tackle hunt sabs and road protestors.