|
Licensing Act 2003
| Age |
Law |
| Under 5 |
It is illegal to give alcohol to a child under 5 except under medical supervision. |
| Under 16 |
Can go into any part of a pub, including the bars, if with an adult and the premises licence allows. Can only drink non-alcoholic drinks. |
| Aged 16 or 17 |
Can drink beer, wine or cider at a table meal in a pub or restaurant if bought by an adult. |
| Under 18 |
Cannot be giving alcohol or drink alcohol in a pub except with a table meal (see above). Cannot buy or attempt to buy alcohol anywhere.
|
Laws
| Situation |
What can happen |
| Person under 18 buying or attempting to buy alcoholic drinks illegally. |
Police can demand an on-the-spot £80 fine. The can also confiscate alcoholic drinks from under-18s drinking in a public place and contact their parents. |
| Someone aged 18 or over who buys alcohol to give to someone under 18. |
Police can demand an on-the-spot £80 fine. The maximum fine is £5,000. |
| Adult working in a pub or shop who sells alcohol to someone who is under 18. |
Fined £80 on-the-spot the first time. If they offend again, they may have to go to court where they can be fined up to £5,000 and may have their alcohol licence taken away.
|
To see the laws for Scotland & Northern Ireland, please click here.
|
The Law 
