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Know your rights
The United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child came into force in 1990. The Convention sets out standards on rights relating to all aspects of a young persons life and was adopted by the UK in 1992.
UK laws, policies and practices affecting young people are set against the standards covered by the Convention. As a young person you do have rights, for example a right to play, rest and leisure and a right to be free from all forms of violence.
You might not be seen as an adult in the eyes of the law until the age of 18, but as you get older you are legally allowed to do certain things. That can also mean you are legally responsible for your actions, so it's important to know what you can do.
|
Age |
Your Rights |
13 |
You can have a part-time job, with some restrictions. |
14 |
You can enter a pub, but you can't buy or drink alcohol there. A boy can be convicted of rape, assault with the intent to commit rape and unlawful sex with a girl if she is under 16. |
16
|
You can have a full time job if you have officially left school. You need to remember that you can't work full time until the last Friday in June - even if you have turned 16 before this. You can live independently, subject to certain conditions being met. You can get married with your parents' or guardians' consent. You can ride a moped of up to 50ccs. You can pilot a glider. A girl must be 16 before she can legally have sex with a boy. It is illegal for a boy or man to have sex with a girl under 16, even if she has agreed. A male may consent to a homosexual act if he and his partner are both over 16 You can have an abortion without your parents consent. A boy can join the armed forces with his parents' or carers' consent. You can apply for your own passport. You can have beer or cider whilst eating a meal in a restaurant or an eating area of a pub, but not in the bar. |
17
|
You can hold a licence to drive most vehicles. You can pilot a plane. You can emigrate. A care order can no longer be made on you. |
18
|
You are legally seen as an adult in the eyes of the law. You can vote in general and local elections. You can get married. You can buy cigarettes and tobacco. You can open a bank account in your name without a parent or carer's signature. You can buy and drink alcohol in a bar. You can ask to see your birth certificate if you are adopted. You can change your name. You can be called to serve on a jury. You can sue or be sued. You can make a will. You can place a bet. You can have a tattoo. You can buy fireworks and sparklers. |
