[dr2005]

As Holly says, under current law (predominantly the Sexual Offences Act 2003) the age of consent is 16 and "statutory rape" applies to intercourse with persons aged 13 or younger. Between 13 and 16 there is an acknowledged grey area, but by and large the police etc tend to be more concerned with situations like 18 year olds having sex with persons under 16 rather than acts between 14/15 and 16 year olds. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's absolutely fine, because that's not the correct legal position, but on the facts you have provided it would be unlikely for the police to become involved. All I would say is if you are in any doubt it's best to err on the cautious side.

In addition, I'd say the question you should be asking is not necessarily how far you can go in the eyes of the law, but how far you should go. At the risk of sounding like a condescending old fart (which I probably qualify as now I've hit 27...), you are both still pretty young and sex is not without risks. I'm sure you are aware of that already so I don't intend to be preachy, but as with all couples considering having sex I would say pay due attention to what you're comfortable doing and what potential consequences you are comfortable facing up to.