A fascinating exhibition about strange and lesser known legislation, which remains in force today, is being held in the Law Society's library in Chancery Lane. 

The material comes from the Law Society library's Statute collections, which date from 1603 to 1898. It includes a number of curious Acts, dating back as far as the sixteen hundreds, which are still on the statute books. 

Since 1965 there have been seventeen Statute Law Revision Acts and over 2,000 obsolete laws have been repealed.

However some laws have remained on the statute books for centuries. It is still illegal, for example, for anyone to wear armour to Parliament, to hang washing across the street or to fire a cannon close to a dwelling. The licensing Act of 1872 states that it is illegal to be drunk in charge of a cow, horse or steam engine.

The Law Society’s extensive legal library has one of the most significant collections of legal publications in the UK, many of which are used for fascinating exhibitions.  The library’s unique collection of historical archives and material includes copies of 19th century charters, 14th century manuscripts and architectural drawings. The current exhibition will run until February 10th. 

Notes

The exhibition will take at the Law Society Library, 113 Chancery Lane, until the 10th of February. The library is open Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 6 p.m. and from 9 am to 5 p.m on Friday. Solicitors and law firm staff are welcome to use the library. Non-solicitors wishing to view the material on display should email
lib-enq@lawsociety.org.uk or telephone 0870 606 2511 for further details.

The Law Society regulates and represents the solicitors’ profession in England and Wales and has a public interest role in working for reform of the law. 

For more information call the Law Society Press Office on 020 7320 5902.