Family Relations

[fourteen85]

Is it illegal in Britain to have sexual relations with a neice or nephew?

[echokilo]

This will tell you - well with regard to marriage anyway: http://www.genetic-genealogy.co.uk/Toc115570145.html

[Buenchico]

No. The law on incest only prohibits intercourse where the woman is the mother, daughter, granddaughter or sister of the man.

[losgigs]

Surely it's incest and immoral?

[Buenchico]

Immoral, Losgigs? As judged by who? Even the Bible mentions that Abraham married his niece, Sarah, (which many Jews see as specific approval for avunculate marriage).

[Canary42]

Only if they're under age.

[hc4361]

It is classed as incest in UK law and carries a maximum 2 year prison sentence.

[ABerrant]

As per the Sexual Offences Act 2003, there are two offences of prohibited sexual relationships with an adult relative [s.64 Penetration and s.65 Consenting to penetration], both defined in terms of close blood relationships only: ‘a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece’.

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/sentencing_manual/s64_and_s65_sex_with_an_adult_relative/

[hc4361]

As stated in this law:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/part/1/crossheading/sex-with-an-adult-relative

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I'm sorry Chris but you're wrong.
A cousin is alright, a nephew or niece is not.

[hc4361]

Age has got nothing to do with it. If one party is under age it is illegal whether they are related or not.

[Buenchico]

It seems that (despite checking with a reputable - university - website) my information might be incorrect, for which I apologise. But it's just another example of the hundreds of unnecessary laws we've got in this country. What two consenting adults do together shouldn't be the concern of anyone else.

[hc4361]

Now, now, Buenchico, no personal opinions in the law section, please.

[tamborine]

incest is taboo to avoid congenital disorders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incest

[Canary42]

I stand corrected - apologies.

[FredPuli43]

And when the niece or nephew is under 18 or under 13 the offence falls under s 25 ( sexual activity) or s 26 ( inciting sexual activity) of the same act, the gravity and sentence being according to the type of activity and the age of the niece or nephew. The maximum is 14 years imprisonment.

[fourteen85]

Thanks for all your replies

[New Judge]

Also bear this important definition in mind:

“nephew” means the child of a person’s brother or sister, and “niece” has a corresponding meaning.

By this definition a nephew or niece on the spouse's (or partner's) side of the family is not protected by this law. I have nephews and nieces who are children of my wife's siblings and are obviously no blood relation to me at all.

[shoota]

Perhaps the learned judge might wish to consider an alternative to the word 'have' ?

[New Judge]

No, shoota, I have them. What alternative meaning you'd like to put on that is up to you !!!!!