Since 1857, a series of obscenity laws known as the Obscene Publications Acts have governed what can be published in England and Wales.

The classic definition of criminal obscenity is if it "tends to deprave and corrupt," stated in 1868 by Lord Justice Cockburn, in Regina v. Hicklin, now known as the Hicklin test.

They define the legal bounds of obscenity in England and Wales, and are used to enforce the removal of obscene material.

Irish law diverged from English law in 1929, replacing the OPA 1857 with a new Irish act.

Scottish prohibitions on obscene material are to be found in section 51 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.