united-kingdom england-and-wales consent
Clarification for UK age of consent
<p>So for the UK, the age of consent is 16, but there is some sort of law that prevents people over the age of 18 having sex with people under the age of 18</p>

<p>My question is: if two people, say ages 16 and 17 are in a sexual relationship and then 1 year later one of them becomes over 18, does this law still apply?</p>

<p>The only age of consent in England and Wales is 16. The relevant provision is <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/section/9" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Section 9</a> of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>9 Sexual activity with a child</strong></p>
<p>(1) A person aged 18 or over (A) commits an offence if—</p>
<p>(a) he intentionally touches another person (B),</p>
<p>(b) the touching is sexual, and</p>
<p>(c) either—</p>
<p>(i) B is under 16 and A does not reasonably believe that B is 16 or over, or</p>
<p>(ii) B is under 13.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Sex between your two hypothetical people is always legal as both are aged 16 or older at all times (under this provision - there are a raft of reasons why it may be illegal notwithstanding).</p>
