Constituency Casework: A guide to age related legislation

This note sets out the age restrictions that define a child in a variety of aspects of life:

Definition of a child

Contracts, debt and council tax

Holding an estate in land (includes tenancy agreements

Local authority housing obligations

Child benefit, child tax credits and other benefits for children and young people

Medical treatment

Being left alone

Education

Employment

Leaving home

Leaving care

Adoption

Marriage

Joining the Armed Services and being able to fight

Driving

Buying alcohol

Sexual consent

With reference to the relevant legislation in each case.

The note refers to England and Wales unless otherwise specified.