| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act for preventing Charge and Expence in Elections of Members to serve in Parliament. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 7 & 8 Will. 3. c. 4 |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 21 January 1696 |
| Commencement | 22 November 1695 [a] |
| Repealed | 10 August 1854 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Corrupt Practices Prevention Act 1854 |
| Relates to | |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Corrupt Practices Act 1695 (7 & 8 Will. 3. c. 4) or the Treating Act 1695 was an act of the Parliament of England passed in 1696, the long title of which is "An Act for preventing Charge and Expence in Elections of Members to serve in Parliament." It was intended to counter bribery of the electorate at parliamentary elections, and it established that no candidate was to make any "Gift Reward or Entertainment" to a particular person, or a place in general, in order to be elected to serve in Parliament. This included acts by the candidate themselves, on their behalf, or at their expense, and both direct or indirect activity. Any person found guilty of engaging in, promising, or allowing such behaviour was to be considered incapacitated from serving in Parliament, and would not be allowed to take their seat or vote. To all intents and purposes, this would annul their election as a member.
