British Law and Calendar

Rule of the Land

Every person living in the UK receives equal treatment under the law, meaning the law is applied to everyone regardless of the place of birth or who they are.

The law is important to all aspects of daily life from housing to immigration to employment. You should make sure you are aware of the current laws, all which can be found here 

Laws are divided and prosecuted either as criminal or civil. Criminal law relates to crimes which are usually investigated by the police or another local authority such as a council and a re punished by the courts. An example of criminal law is murder, racial crime and drugs. Civil law applies to disagreements between individuals or groups. An example of civil law is housing, debt and employment disputes such as wages.

More information on the rule of the land in the UK, including how to report crimes and your rights can be found here  

If you or someone you know have been a victim of hate crime use the following link to report this True Vision – Stop Hate Crime. If you do not understand how to use this,  you can go into any of the Libraries across the city and a member of staff will be able to help you.

General advice and guidance on Hate Crime can be found here.

To report any other crime, either against you or that you have seen contact West Midlands Police

 

In the UK there are centres that provide free legal advice, your nearest one can be found by visiting here  


Festivals, holidays and events in the UK

The UK is a welcoming multicultural society that celebrates many events in the year.

  • January – 1st New Years Day – celebrates the arrival of a new year, many people make ‘resolutions’ or a time to change something about themselves to benefit them health (stopping smoking for example).
  • February – 14th Valentine’s Day  (celebrates love by giving of special gifts).
  • March – Mother’s Day/Mothering Sunday is the Sunday three weeks before Easter (a day that mothers get a day ‘off so husband typically will cook, clean and look after children for the day and indulge mother). 
  • Easter is either in March or April (part of the Christian Calendar).
  • April – 1st April Fools day, Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) 14th April
  • June – Father’s Day is the third Sunday in June (a day that fathers get a day ‘off so wife typically will cook, clean and look after children for the day and indulge father). 
  • October- 31st October Halloween (dress up in costumes and ‘trick or treat’ in the community.  Trick or treat is going door to door asking for treats, houses with decoration will indicate if the resident is participating, if not then DO NOT knock on door, this applies to your residence as well). 
  • Diwali is either in October or November.
  • November – 5th Bonfire Night, 11th Remembrance Day (a night of fireworks to celebrate the thwarted plan of Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605) 11th Remembrance Day (to memorialize those who died and served in the UK military).
  • Hannukah is either in November or December.
  • December- 24th Christmas Eve, 25th Christmas Day, (part of the Christian calendar but most businesses observe and close) 26th Boxing Day (a bank holiday). 
  • Eid al-Fitr
  • Eid ul Adha

Bank Holidays

There are a number of public holidays throughout the year. Some apply across the entire UK and some specific to England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Banks, businesses, shops and offices are closed for the day but this does not include the emergency services.

They have no religious importance.

The dates can be found here  


Patron Saints

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a national saint, called a patron saint. Each saint has a special day.

  • 1st March – St David’s Day, Wales.
  • 17th March – St. Patrick’s Day, Northern Ireland.
  • 23rd April – St. George’s Day, England.
  • 30th November – St. Andrew’s day, Scotland.

Only in Scotland and Northern Ireland are the Patron Saint Days an official holiday, although not all businesses and offices in Scotland will close.

Patron Saints days are no longer public holidays in England and Wales, however, they are still socially celebrated with parades and small festivals.


Refugee Week - Coventry Welcomes 2019

Coventry Welcomes Festival is a week-long festival celebrated within the framework of the national Refugee Week refugeeweek.org.uk, on or around the 20th of June of every year.

Over the years, Refugee Week has brought together people of all backgrounds to celebrate the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and the welcome offered to them by British communities.


Fraud and Scams

Fraud is a serious crime of criminal deception that results in personal or financial gain.

A scam is a minor offence of ‘fraud’.

In the UK many people experience ‘cold calling’ – when a company rings their mobile phone – either a person or an automated machine – asking them about their recent accident. It is acceptable to hang up on these calls.

The consequences of being a victim of fraud include personal discomfort and loss of money. The criminal consequences include being arrested, prosecuted, fined and jailed.

How to prevent : 

  • keep your personal information secure,
  • do not have the same passwords for accounts and change these passwords every few months,
  • do not share your personal information or passwords,
  • do not post your personal information on social media (including pictures of credit/debit cards) or anything showing your address.

For documents that you do not need, which include personal information, shred them before throwing them into the bins.

Check your accounts weekly so you are aware of all transactions. Never give out your pin, your bank will never ask you for it.

Be careful of emails – do not respond to any that ask you for money and be careful of being ‘catfished’. Fraudulent emails can be very deceptive and look like they’re from the person or organisation they’re trying to impersonate. To be sure, never respond to any emails with your personal details if you’re uncertain. 

If you are a victim of fraud – if it relates to money taken from your account then go to your back and file a report. The bank will then conduct an investigation – this can take weeks or months. If it relates to your identity then report this to the police.

If you are sending money back home use only recognised Western Union branches. DO NOT use unrecognised services.