From Age 10

• Can be convicted of a criminal offence
• Can be given a custodial sentence
• Can open a building society account with the managers' consent

From Age 12

• Can buy certain live animals as pets
• Can view in a cinema, or buy, a category 12 film

From Age 13

• Can get a part time job, subject to local bye-laws

From Age 14

• Can perform 'light work'
• Can buy soft drinks in a bar
• Can be convicted of rape

From Age 15

• Can view in a cinema, or buy, a category 15 film

From Age 16

• Can leave school
• Can be employed full time
• Can apply for your own passport
• Can change your name by deed poll
• Can buy a lottery ticket
• Can choose your own doctor
• Can claim benefits
• Can drive a moped up to 50cc
• Can marry with parental consent
• Can consent to heterosexual (different sex) intercourse
• Boys can join the armed forces

From Age 17

• Can drive a car
• Can be sent to prison
• Can get a firearms certificate
• Can become a street trader
• Girls can joined the armed forces, with parental consent

From Age 18

• Can serve on a jury
• Can place a bet in any legal bookmakers or casino
• Can make a will
• Can carry a donor card
• Can buy alcohol
• Can sign a contract
• Can ride a motorbike above 125cc
• Adopted children can appply to see their birth certificate
• Can consent to homosexual (gay) intercourse
• You can live with whoever you want to. Below this age, if you are lving with someone against your parents' will, they can take legal action

From Age 19

• You are no longer entitled by law to a full time education after this age

From Age 21

• Can apply to adopt a child
• Can beome an MP
• Can become a local Councillor
• Can supervise a learner driver, if you have held your licence for 3 years

© Luke Culverwell 2001, All Rights Reserved