Acts
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Acts & Related Services
Parliamentary Standards Act 2009
Example act summary. Last modified: 9th Dec 2020
The principal aim of the PSA 2009 is to reform the procedure by which MP’s submit expenses and allowances claims, as well as the assessment of those claims...
Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992 is a law that enables persons to have access to neighbouring land in order to carry out work...
Accessories and Abettors Act 1861
Example act summary. Last modified: 15th Jun 2019
All parties to a crime are accomplices, and the Accessories and Abettors Act 1861 was passed by Parliament to consolidate......
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights 1981
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), which is also commonly referred to as the Banjul Charter......
Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organisation 1995
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organisation 1995 ('WTO Agreement') is a short agreement setting out the role, structure and powers......
ANTI-TERRORISM, CRIME AND SECURITY ACT 2001
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Bill was fast-tracked through Parliament owing to concerns about national security. It took only 16 hours for MPs to debate the Bill before......
Article 101 TFEU - Competition
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) prohibits any agreements or cartels between Member States......
Article 110 TFEU
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
This essay shall explore several aspects of Article 110 of the Treaty of Functioning of the European Union (EU)...
Article 18 TFEU General Principle of Non-discrimination
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
Article 18 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) was introduced to prohibit 'any discrimination......
Article 267 & 45 TFEU
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
Due to the large number of Member States within the EU, there naturally exists a wide variety of domestic laws within the Union......
Article 30 TFEU
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
Article 30 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union was introduced as part of the provisions relating to the free movement of goods....
ASYLUM AND IMMIGRATION [TREATMENT OF CLAIMANTS] ACT 2004
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
In 2002 the UK Labour government published a White Paper entitled 'Secure Borders, Safe Haven: Integration with Diversity......
BILL OF RIGHTS 1689
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
As a result of the English Civil War the English Parliament's powers gradually increased. A constitutional crisis arose during the reign...
CHILDREN ACT 1989
Example act summary. Last modified: 8th Dec 2020
In 1984 the Department of Health published a review which found that the current law relating to children was unsatisfactory, mainly because......
Children and Young Persons Act 1933
Example act summary. Last modified: 6th Oct 2021
The Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA) 1933 is one of the older pieces of child protection legislation. Some of its parts are still in force today....
Civil Procedure Rules
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Civil Procedure Rules were used by all courts after 1999 and replaced the Supreme Court Rules and County Court Rules....
Companies Act 2006
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Companies Act (CA) 2006 was introduced as part of the long awaited reform of company law. It significantly replaced the Companies Acts of 1985......
Computer Misuse Act 1990
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
Computer Misuse Act 1990. The Computer Misuse Act (1990) was introduced to help deal with the problems caused by the misuse of computers and communication......
Constitutional Reform Act 2005
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Constitutional Reform Act of 2005 ['the Act'] prescribed numerous changes in the judiciary of the United Kingdom [UK] as......
Consumer Rights Act 2015
Example act summary. Last modified: 6th Oct 2021
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (the “CRA 2015”) is generally regarded as a significant piece of legislation in the area of consumer rights. The CRA 2015 received Royal Assent on 26 March 2015 and came into force on 1 October 2015....
Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Example act summary. Last modified: 6th Oct 2021
The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 ('the Act') changes the law on coroners and criminal justice in England and Wales. The Act is divided into nine parts......
Criminal Attempts Act 1981
Example act summary. Last modified: 6th Oct 2021
The Criminal Attempts Act 1981 (“the Act”) is an Act which amends the law of England and Wales regarding attempts to commit offences and conspiracy to commit offences which, in the circumstances, cannot ultimately be committed...
Criminal Damage Act 1971
Example act summary. Last modified: 6th Oct 2021
The Criminal Damage Act 1971 is the leading piece of legislation, concerning offences involving damage to property. In April 1969, the Law Commission released a working paper and subsequently in 1970 – a report, which aimed to review the criminal law on the offences of damage to property....
Criminal Justice Act 1988
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Criminal Justice Act 1988 was introduced during the third term of Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government, as part of a wider part......
Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The changes to the law that can be seen by the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 which were based on recommendations contained...
Criminal Law Act 1977
Example act summary. Last modified: 6th Oct 2021
The aim of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (“the Act”), which came into force on 8 September 1977, is to amend the law in England and Wales with regard to criminal conspiracy and replace the common law in that area....
DEFAMATION ACT 1952
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
In an action for slander in respect of words calculated to disparage the plaintiff in an office, profession, calling, trade or business held or carried...
Defamation Act 2013 - Summary
Example act summary. Last modified: 11th Oct 2021
Defamation Act 2013 was introduced in order to reform the law surrounding defamation and to ensure that a fair balance between the protection of reputations and freedom of expression was being attained...
Directive 2004/38- Union Citizens
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
Directive 2004/38 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States...
Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939 was passed in the UK in the context of the Second World War (WWII). The aim of the act......
Employment Rights Act 1996
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Employment Rights Act 1996 introduces itself as ‘an Act to consolidate enactments relating to employment rights. As such, one of the main aims behind the Act was to bring together into a single piece of legislation much of the existing law in relation to employment rights....
European Communities Act 1972
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
This Act was granted Royal Assent on 17 October 1972 and meant that the United Kingdom became an official member of the EEC....
European Union (Amendment) Act 2008
Example act summary. Last modified: 9th Dec 2020
The European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 (EUAA) was introduced as a precursor to the United Kingdom’s ratification of the 2007 Treaty of Lisbon...
Family Law Act 1996
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Family Law Act 1996 was envisioned to modernise the divorce process and is seen as one of the most radical and far-reaching reforms of family law in the past century....
FATAL ACCIDENTS ACT 1976
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
If death is caused by any wrongful act, neglect or default which is such as would (if death had not ensued) have entitled the person injured to maintain an action and recover damages in respect thereof, the person who would have......
Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011
Example act summary. Last modified: 17th Jun 2019
Before the Act came into force, parliament could be dissolved at any time by royal proclamation and or by virtue......
Fraud Act 2006 Summary
Example act summary. Last modified: 11th Jun 2019
The Fraud Act came into force on the 15th January 2006 and replaced the eight deception offences contained within the Theft Act 1968 and 1978....
Freedom of Information Act 2000
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Freedom of Information Act of 2000 ['the Act'] was passed by the UK Parliament in 2000 and came into force in its entirety in 2005....
Greater London Authority Act 1999
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
In 1996, the Labour Party (which at that time was in opposition) in the consultative document A Voice for London......
House of Lords Act 1999
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK parliament. Their role has been to review, make and amend the laws of the......
Human Tissue Act 2004
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Human Tissue Act 2004 (HTA 2004) was introduced to address serious concerns raised in the course of the 1998 Kennedy Inquiry....
Immigration Act 1971
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
In the years leading up to the Immigration Act 1971, there was negativity and resentment growing towards those immigrating into the UK....
Insolvency Act 1986
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Insolvency Act 1986 provides the legal platform to deal with issues arising out of personal and corporate insolvency....
Intoxicating Substance (Supply) Act 1985
Example act summary. Last modified: 6th Oct 2021
The Intoxicating Substance (Supply) Act 1985 is a short piece of legislation, designed to prohibit the supply of drugs, not controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971....
Land Charges Act 1972
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Land Charges Act 1972 is a piece of legislation that enhances the system for creating and registering charges over unregistered......
Land Registration Act 2002
Example act summary. Last modified: 6th Oct 2021
The Land Registration Act 2002 repealed and replaced the previous legislation governing land registration. In principle, this the piece of primary legislation governing the activity of the Land Registry, but further to this role, the 2002 Act was intended to facilitate the introduction of e-conveyancing....
Land Registration Rules 2003
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Land Registration Act 2002 repealed and replaced the Land Registration Act 1925, which until then governed land registration....
Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Act was introduced to protect businesses from being evicted by having their tenancy ended by the landlord. Businesses build up goodwill......
Law of Property Act 1925
Example act summary. Last modified: 6th Oct 2021
The main object of the 1925 legislation was, therefore, to “facilitate and cheapen the transfer of land”[1]. Of these statutes, the LPA 1925 primarily consolidates and reforms statutory law relating to conveyancing and the law of property, and is regarded as an “essential part of any conveyancer’s bible”...
Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945 is a piece of legislation that enables the courts to designate liability in a just and equitable......
Law Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
Prior to the introduction of the Act, the rule that was created in Chandler v Webster [1904] restricted the rights of a claimant......
LAW REFORM (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT 1934
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
LAW REFORM (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT 1934 | Law Teacher...
Liability for Land Law and Premises Legislation
Example act summary. Last modified: 17th Dec 2020
The rules enacted by the two next following sections shall have effect, in place of the rules of the common law...
Libel Act 1843
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
In any action for defamation it shall be lawful for the defendant (after notice in writing of his intention so to do, duly given to the plaintiff at the time of filing or delivering the plea in such action,) to give in evidence, in mitigation of damages......
Limitation Act 1980
Example act summary. Last modified: 11th Dec 2020
Limitation periods enforce time limits within which a party must bring a claim, or give notice of a claim to the other party....
Local Government Act 1972
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Local Government Act 1972 reformed the structure of local government in England and Wales. The changes were introduced......
Localism Act 2011
Example act summary. Last modified: 9th Dec 2020
The Localism Act 2011 also simplifies the process by which councils and other local public authorities can alter their systems of governance...
Magistrates Court Act 1980
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Magistrates Court 1980 was an Act passed by Parliament which implemented the recommendations of the Law Commission......
Matrimonial Causes Act 1973
Example act summary. Last modified: 4th Jan 2021
The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (MCA 1973) is the law within England and Wales that governs divorce. Prior to the enactment of the MCA 1973, the first law that governed divorce was the Matrimonial Causes Act 1857 (MCA 1857)....
Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act 1970
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act 1970 primarily deals with questions in regards to the cash payments from one spouse to the other...
Mental Health Act 1983
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Mental Health Act 1983 covers the reception, care and treatment of people in England and Wales who suffer......
Merchant Shipping Act 1988
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Merchant Shipping Act 1988 was enacted to tackle the unfair quota hopping by foreign fishing vessels in British territorial......
Misrepresentation Act 1967
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
Misrepresentation is an important factor in both contract law and tort law in the English legal system. The Misrepresentation Act 1967......
Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Example act summary. Last modified: 1st Dec 2020
The Act was one of a number of pieces of legislation in the same year to consolidate numerous areas of law into single pieces of legislation....
Police Act 1996
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Act was introduced by the Conservative government shortly before their election defeat to Tony Blair's labour party....
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) was introduced as a response to a growing perception that the public had lost all confidence in the English criminal justice system....
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) was introduced as a response to a growing perception that the public had lost all confidence......
Police Reform Act 2002
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The sociological and political context was one of increased strain on police resources and widespread problems with the police...
Prior to the Fraud Act 2006
Example act summary. Last modified: 5th Aug 2019
The Fraud Act came into force on the 15th January 2006 and replaced the eight deception offences contained within the Theft Act 1968 and 1978. Prior to the introduction of the Fraud Act 2006 the former law had been the subject of criticism...
Public Order Act 1986
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Act as originally drafted contained five main offences relating to public order. Although there have been some modification......
Regulation 492/2011 on Freedom of Movement for Workers within the Union
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
This regulation has been created to assist in providing free movement to workers within the Union....
Rent Act 1977
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Rent Act 1977 is the piece of legislation which introduced the category of protected tenancy in the law of England and Wales....
Sale of Goods Act 1979
Example act summary. Last modified: 13th Oct 2021
This summary examines the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (“the Act”) within its context: why it was drafted, what are its important provisions, and how it has changed since it came into force...
Security Service Act 1989
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Security Service Act 1989 relates to the Security Service, more commonly known as MI5 (Military Intelligence, Section 5)....
Sexual Offences Act 2003 - Summary
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 repealed most sections of the Sexual Offences Act 1956. It represented a large-scale revision of the law of sexual offences....
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
In the decades following the Second World War, globalisation and new technology caused a boom in industries such as the film, publishing, and the music industries, and businesses had a greater reach than ever before. With this surge in activity came an increased need for trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights, and a demand for a unified approach across all nations....
The Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
It was thought by parliament and the general public that sentences were not severe enough for criminals. The media had capitalised......
The Data Protection Act 1998
Example act summary. Last modified: 11th Oct 2021
The Data Protection Act 1998 was implemented with the aim of protecting the personal data of individuals deposited on computer systems......
The Equality Act 2010
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The principle of equality is an indispensable element of a democratic society. Equality law in Britain, however, is a recent......
The European Union Act 2011
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The European Union Act of 2011 ['the Act'] introduces restrictions to the application and amendments in treaties relating to the European Union......
The Human Rights Act 1998
Example act summary. Last modified: 6th Oct 2021
In New Labour’s 1997 General Election Manifesto, Tony Blair proposed a radical programme of constitutional reform to ‘increase individual rights, decentralise power, open up government and reform Parliament....
The Introduction of the ECHR 1950
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
Following the Second World War and the horrors against humanity that had followed it, the United Nations had been given the impetus that was required......
The Land Registration Act 2002 (LRA)
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Land Registration Act 2002 (LRA) was introduced as a Joint Working Group consisting of people representing several bodies...
THE LAW REFORM (CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE) ACT 1945
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
THE LAW REFORM (CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE) ACT 1945...
The Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The overall stated purpose of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 was to reduce the regulatory burden (particularly in......
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - Summary
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The primary objective of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 is to control the use and distribution of these dangerous and harmful drugs, with the aim of preventing drug misuse...
The Occupiers' Liability Act 1984 (OLA 1984)
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Occupiers' Liability Act 1984 (OLA 1984) was introduced, generally speaking, to confirm situations where a duty of care...
The Parliament Act 1911
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Parliament Act of 1911 ['the Act'] emerged from political circumstances surrounding the relationship between the two UK parliamentary bodies......
The Serious Crime Act 2007
Example act summary. Last modified: 6th Oct 2021
The Serious Crime Act 2007 (“the Act”) received royal assent on 30 October 2007 and made several significant changes to the criminal law. The intention of the Act is to frustrate serious (often organised) crime by allowing the police to act without the necessity to bring criminal proceedings....
The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982
Example act summary. Last modified: 25th Aug 2022
The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 is an Act that ensures that traders provide services to an adequate standard of workmanship and is applicable to contracts entered into before 1 October 2015, in the United Kingdom....
The War Damage Act 1965
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Act was introduced after it became apparent to the Government that there was potential for the Government to be found liable ......
Theft Act 1968 Summary
Example act summary. Last modified: 5th Oct 2021
The Theft Act 1968 is arguably one of the most effective pieces of legal drafting in the post war era. It is now nearly 50 years since the Act was passed and yet it remains very much intact....
Theft Act 1978
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Criminal Law Revision Committee spent seven years considering criminal property offences which had previously been contained......
Trade Marks Act 1994
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Trade Mark Act (TMA) 1938 was said to have caused a 'great deal of judicial frustration thus indicating a strong need......
Treaty of Lisbon
Example act summary. Last modified: 3rd Dec 2020
The Treaty of Lisbon entered into force on 1 December 2009 in accordance with its Article 6 and was ratified by each of the European Union's 27 members....
Treaty on European Union
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Treaty on European Union ('TEU') finds its origins in the Treaty of Maastricht, which came into effect in 1993. Almost a decade previous......
TRIPS Agreement on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Agreement ('TRIPS') is a multilateral agreement administered by the WTO......
Trustee Act 1925
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Trustee Act 1925 is an act, which is part of the land reform legislation in the 1920s. It consolidated and codified the law on......
Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act (TLATA) 1996 is the act which abolished the doctrine of conversion (a doctrine in the law ......
Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977
Example act summary. Last modified: 22nd Dec 2020
Learn about the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977...
United Nations International Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The United National International Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a major treaty regarding the human rights provisions...
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The importance of diplomatic missions has always been prevalent throughout history and so has the protection of diplomatic agents......
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT) is the leading international Convention on treaties, which codifies the customary laws as......
WTO - General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994
Example act summary. Last modified: 7th Jun 2019
The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 ('GATT') are together part of an effort to bring about international free trade....
Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999
Example act summary. Last modified: 9th Dec 2020
One of the practical realities affecting the criminal justice system is that the success or failure of many criminal prosecutions depends largely......
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