Repeal of Obsolete Statutes Act 1856

Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to repeal certain Statutes which are not in use.
Citation	19 & 20 Vict. c. 64
Dates
Royal assent	21 July 1856
Commencement	21 July 1856 [1]
Other legislation
Repealed by	Statute Law Revision Act 1875
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted

The act 19 & 20 Vict. c. 64, sometimes referred to as the Repeal of Obsolete Statutes Act 1856, ^{[2] [3]} was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

The bill for this act was called the Sleeping Statutes Bill. This act implemented recommendations made by the Statute Law Commission of 1854. ^[4]

This act repealed 120 statutes, which had been described as "obsolete".

Halsbury's Laws said that this act was the first act for statute law revision (in the sense of repealing enactments which are obsolete, spent, unnecessary or superseded, or which no longer serve a useful purpose). ^[5] Courtenay Ilbert said that this act was the first Statute Law Revision Act. ^[6]

This act was itself repealed by section 1 of, and the schedule to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1875.

Repealed acts

In addition to the explicitly listed acts, any act "confirming, continuing, or perpetuating the same" were also repealed.

Citation	Long title
Statute of Westminster the Second 13 Edw. 1. c. 33	Lands where Crosses be set shall be forfeited as Lands aliened in Mortmain.
Statute of Westminster the Second 13 Edw. 1. c. 41	A Contra formam collationis and a Cessarit to recover Lands given in Alms.
Articuli super Chartas 28 Edw. 1. c. 5	The Chancellor and the Justices of the King's Bench shall follow the King.
Articuli super Chartas 28 Edw. 1. c. 20	Vessels of Gold shall be essayed, touched, and marked; the King's Prerogative shall be saved.
5 Edw. 3. c. 14	Night Walkers and suspected Persons shall be safely kept.
Statute of Nottingham 10 Edw. 3. Stat. 3	De cibariis utendis.
25 Edw. 3. Stat. 5. c. 22	He that purchaseth a Provision in Rome for an Abbey shall be out of the King's Protection, and any Man may do with him as with the King's Enemy.
28 Edw. 3. c. 10	The Penalty of the Mayor, Sheriffs, &c. of London, if they do not redress Errors and Misprisions there; and in what Counties the Trial thereof shall be.
37 Edw. 3. c. 15	Clothiers shall make Cloths sufficient of the aforesaid Prices, so that this Statute for Default of such Cloths be in nowise infringed.
6 Ric. 2. Stat. 1. c. 9	No Victualler shall execute a judicial Place in a City or Town Corporate.
7 Ric. 2. c. 13	No Man shall ride in Harness within the Realm, nor with Launcegays.
12 Ric. 2. c. 12	In what Cases the Lords and Spiritual Persons shall be contributory to the Expenses of the Knights of Parliament.
12 Ric. 2. c. 13	The Punishment of them which cause Corruption near a City or great Town, to corrupt the Air.
13 Ric. 2. Stat. 1. c. 8	The Rates of Labourers Wages shall be assessed and proclaimed by the Justices of Peace. and they shall assess the Gains of Victuallers who shall make Horsebread. and the Weight and Price thereof.
17 Ric. 2. c. 4	Malt sold to London shall be cleansed from the Dust.
17 Ric. 2. c. 10	Two learned Men in the Law shall be in Commission of Jail Delivery.
20 Ric. 2. c. 1	No Man shall ride or go armed; Launcegays shall be put out.
20 Ric. 2. c. 2	Who only may wear another's Livery.
1 Hen. 4. c. 15	The Punishment of the Mayor, &c. of London for Defaults committed there.
4 Hen. 4. c. 5	Every Sheriff shall in Person continue in his Bailiwick and shall not let it.
4 Hen. 4. c. 10	The Third Part of the Silver bought to the Bullion shall be coined in Halfpence and Farthings.
4 Hen. 4. c. 25	An Hostler shall not make Horsebread. How much he may take for Oats.
4 Hen. 4. c. 27	There shall be no Wasters, Vagabonds, &c. in Wales.
4 Hen. 4. c. 29	Welshmen shall not be armed.
5 Hen. 4. c. 2	The Penalty of him which procureth Pardon for an Approver that committeth Felony again.
5 Hen. 4. c. 13	What Things may be gilded and laid on with Silver and Gold, and what not.
7 Hen. 4. c. 7	Arrowheads shall be wellboiled, brased, and hard.
11 Hen. 4. c. 1	The Penalty on a Sheriff for making an untrue Return of the Election of the Knights of Parliament.
1 Hen. 5. c. 4	Sheriff's Bailiffs shall not be in the same Office in Three Years after; Sheriff's Officers shall not be Attorneys.
2 Hen. 5. Stat. 2. c. 4	There shall be no gilding of Silver Ware but of the Allay of English Sterling.
4 Hen. 5 Stat. 2 c. 6	Penalty on Irish Prelates for collating an Irishman to a Benefice in England or bringing an Irishman to Parliament to discover the Counsels of Englishmen to Rebels.
8 Hen. 5. c. 3	What Things only may be gilded and what laid on with Silver.
9 Hen. 5 Stat. 1. c. 10	Keels that carry Sea Coals to Newcastle shall be measured and marked.
1 Hen. 6. c. 3	What Sort of Irishmen only may come to dwell in England.
6 Hen. 6. c. 4	The Sheriff's Traverse to an Inquest found touching returning Knights of Shires for the Parliament.
8 Hen. 6. c. 22	What is requisite to be done in winding and packing of Wool. None shall force, clack, or beard any Wool.
11 Hen. 6. c. 1	They that dwell at the Stews in Southwark shall not be impanelled in Juries nor keep any Inn or Tavern but there.
18 Hen. 6. c. 18	How much a Captain shall forfeit that doth detain any Part of his Soldier's Wages.
23 Hen. 6. c. 4	Welshmen indicted of Treason or Felony that do repair unto Herefordshire shall be apprehended and imprisoned or else pursued by Hue and Cry, and a Forfeiture of those which do not pursue them.
28 Hen. 6. c. 5	The Penalty of the Officers of the Customs which by Colour of their Offices shall distrain any Man's Ships or Goods.
4 Edw. 4. c. 8	No Stranger shall buy English Horns unwrought gathered or growing in London or within Twenty-four Miles thereof. Certain Powers vested in the Wardens of the Horners of London.
17 Edw. 4. c. 4	An Act for making of Tile.
4 Hen. 7. c. 2	An Act for Finers of Gold and Silver.
4 Hen. 7. c. 3	An Act that no Butcher slay any Manner of Beast within the Walls of London.
4 Hen. 7. c. 16	An Act concerning the Isle of Wight.
11 Hen. 7. c. 19	An Act against Upholsterers.
11 Hen. 7. c. 21	An Act against Perjury.
11 Hen. 7. c. 27	An Act against unlawful and deceitful making of Fustians.
19 Hen. 7. c. 6	Pewterers walking.
19 Hen. 7. c. 10	De voluntariis et negligentibus escapiis.
3 Hen. 8. c. 14	An Act for the searching of Oils within the City of London.
4 Hen. 8. c. 7	Pur le Pewterers.
5 Hen. 8. c. 4	An Act for avoiding Deceits in Worsteds.
14 & 15 Hen. 8. c. 2	The Act concerning the taking of Apprentices by Strangers.
14 & 15 Hen. 8. c. 3	The Act concerning the draping of Worsteds, Sayes and Stamins for the Town of Great Yarmouth.
14 & 15 Hen. 8. c. 12	An Act concerning coining of Money.
21 Hen. 8. c. 12	An Act for true making of great Cables, Halsers, Ropes, and all other Tackling for Ships, &c., in the Borough of Burport in the County of Dorset.
21 Hen. 8. c. 16	An Act ratifying a Decree made in the Star Chamber concerning Strangers Handicraftsmen inhabiting the Realm of England.
22 Hen. 8. c. 10	An Act concerning Egyptians.
24 Hen. 8. c. 10	An Act made and ordained to destroy Choughs, Crows, and Rooks.
25 Hen. 8. c. 5	An Act for calendering of Worsteds.
25 Hen. 8. c. 9	An Act concerning Pewterers.
25 Hen. 8. c. 13	An Act concerning Farms and Sheep.
25 Hen. 8. c. 18	An Act for Clothiers within the Shire of Worcester.
26 Hen. 8. c. 5	An Act that Keepers of Ferries on the Water of Severn shall not convey in their Ferry Boats any manner of Person, Goods, or Chattels after the Sun going down till the Sun be up.
26 Hen. 8. c. 6	An Act that Murders and Felonies done or committed within any Lordship Marcher in Wales shall be inquired of at the Sessions holden within the Shire Grounds next adjoining, with many good Orders for Administration of Justice there to be had.
26 Hen. 8. c. 16	An Act for the making of Worsteds in the City of Norwich and in the Towns of Lynn and Yarmouth.
32 Hen. 8. c. 13	For Breed of Horses.
33 Hen. 8. c. 16	An Act for Worsted Yarn in Norfolk.
34 & 35 Hen. 8. c. 10	An Act for the true making of Coverlets in York.
35 Hen. 8. c. 11	An Act for the due Payment of the Fees and Wages of Knights and Burgesses for the Parliament in Wales.
1 Edw. 6. c. 6	An Act for the Continuance of making of Worsted Yarn in Norfolk.
2 & 3 Edw. 6. c. 9	An Act for the true currying of Leather.
2 & 3 Edw. 6. c. 11	An Act for the true tanning of Leather.
2 & 3 Edw. 6. c. 19	An Act for Abstinence from Flesh.
2 & 3 Edw. 6. c. 27	An Act against the false forging of Gadds of Steel.
3 & 4 Edw. 6. c. 2	An Act for the true making of Woollen Cloths.
3 & 4 Edw. 6. c. 9	An Act for the buying of raw Hides and Calf Skins.
5 & 6 Edw. 6. c. 6	An Act for the making of Woollen Cloth.
5 & 6 Edw. 6. c. 24	An Act for the making of Hats, Dornecks, and Coverlets at Norwich and in the County of Norfolk.
7 Edw. 6. c. 5	An Act to avoid the great Price and Excess of Wines.
7 Edw. 6. c. 7	An Act for the Assize of Fuel.
1 Mar. Sess. 3. c. 8	An Act touching the buying and currying of Leather.
1 & 2 Ph. & M. c. 4	An Act for the Punishment of certain Persons calling themselves Egyptians.
1 & 2 Ph. & M. c. 7	An Act that Persons dwelling in the Country shall not sell divers Wares in Cities or Towns Corporate by Retail.
1 Eliz. 1. c. 8	An Act touching Shoemakers and Curriers.
1 Eliz. 1. c. 9	An Act touching Tanners and the selling of tanned Leather.
1 Eliz. 1. c. 15	An Act that Timber shall not be felled to make Coals for the making of Iron.
5 Eliz. 1. c. 8	An Act touching Tanners, Curriers, Shoemakers, and other Artificers occupying the cutting of Leather.
8 Eliz. 1. c. 8	An Act for the Repeal of a Branch of a Statute made Anno 32 H. 8., for the Stature of Horses within the Isle of Ely, and other Places confining thereunto.
8 Eliz. 1. c. 9	An Act to repeal a Branch of the Statute made Anno 23 H. 8. touching the Prices of Barrels and Kilderkins.
8 Eliz. 1. c. 10	An Act for Bowyers and the Prices of Bows.
8 Eliz. 1. c. 12	An Act for the Aulneger's Fees in Lancashire and for Length Breadth and Weight of Cottons Frizes and Rugs.
23 Eliz. 1. c. 5	An Act touching Iron Mills near unto the City of London and the River of Thames.
23 Eliz. 1. c. 8	An Act for the true melting, making, and working of Wax.
27 Eliz. 1. c. 19	An Act for the Preservation of Timber in the Wealds of the Counties of Sussex, Surrey, and Kent, and for the Amendment of Highways decayed by Carriages to and from Iron Mills there.
35 Eliz. 1. c. 9	An Act touching Breadth of Cloths.
1 Jas. 1. c. 6	An An Act made for the Explanation of the Statute made in the Fifth Year of the late Queen Elizabeth's Reign concerning Labourers.
1 Jas. 1. c. 20	An Act for Redress of certain Abuses and Deceits used in Painting.
3 Jas. 1. c. 9	An Act for the Relief of such as lawfully use the Trade and Handicraft of Skinners.
3 Jas. 1. c. 16	An Act for the Repeal of One Act made in the Fourteenth Year of Queen Elizabeth's Reign concerning the Length of Kersies.
3 Jas. 1. c. 17	An Act concerning Welsh Cottons.
4 Jas. 1. c. 2	An Act for the true making of Woollen Cloth.
4 Jas. 1. c. 6	An Act for repealing of so much of One Branch of a Statute made in the First Year of His Majesty's Reign, intituled "An Act concerning Tanners Curriers Shoemakers and other Artificers occupying the cutting of Leather," as concerneth the sealing of Sheepskins and to avoid selling of tanned Leather by Weight.
21 Jas. 1. c. 18	An Act for Continuance of a Statute made for the making of Woollen Cloths.
21 Jas. 1. c. 21	An Act concerning Hostlers and Innholder.
12 Cha. 2. c. 32	An Act for prohibiting the Exportation of Wool, Wool Fells, Fullers Earth, or any Kind of scouring Earth.
14 Cha. 2. c. 18	An Act against exporting of Sheep, Wool, Woolfells, Mortlings, Shorlings, Yarn made of Wool, Wool Flocks, Fullers Earth, Fulling Clay, and Tobacco Pipe Clay.
5 & 6 Will. & Mar. c. 13	An Act to repeal the Statute made in the Tenth Year of King Edward the Third for finding Sureties for the good abearing by him or her that hath a Pardon of Felony.
9 Will. 3. c. 40	An Act for the Explanation and better Execution of former Acts made against Transportation of Wool, Fullers Earth, and Scouring Clay.
10 Will. 3. c .2	An Act to prevent the making or selling of Buttons made of Cloth, Serge, Drugget, or other Stuffs.
1 Ann. c. 15	An Act for preventing Frauds in the Duties upon Salt, and for the better Payment of Debentures at the Custom House.
8 Ann. c. 11	An Act for employing the Manufacturers by encouraging the Consumption of Raw Silk and Mohair Yarn.
4 Geo. 1. c. 7	An Act for making more effectual an Act made in the Eighth Year of the late Queen Anne, intituled "An Act for employing the Manufacturers by encouraging the Consumption of Raw Silk and Mohair Yarn."
7 Geo. 1. St. 1. c. 12	An Act for employing the Manufacturers and encouraging the Consumption of Raw Silk and Mohair Yarn by prohibiting the wearing of Buttons and Button-holes made of Cloth, Serge, and other Stuffs.
11 Geo. 2. c. 28	An Act for the better regulating the Manufacture of narrow Woollen Cloths in the West Riding of the County of York.
10 Geo. 3. c. 49	An Act for continuing and amending several Acts for preventing Abuses in making Bricks and Tiles.
17 Geo. 3. c. 42	An Act for preventing Abuses in the making and vending Bricks and Tiles.

References

• The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, 19 & 20 Victoria, 1856. Queen's Printer. London. 1856. Digitised copy from Google Books.
• HL Deb vol 142, cols 1895 to 1896, HC Deb vol 142, col 872 and 880.

1. The Acts of Parliament (Commencement) Act 1793
2. Current Law Statutes 1996. Sweet & Maxwell. London. W Green. Edinburgh. 1997. Volume 4. Alphabetical Table of Statutes. Page 146.
3. Current Law Statutes Annotated 1993. Sweet & Maxwell. London. W Green. Edinburgh. 1994. Volume 4. Alphabetical Table of Statutes. Page 140.
4. Ilbert, C P. Legislative Methods and Forms. Oxford. 1901. Reprinted by the Lawbook Exchange Ltd. 2008. Page 57. Digitised copy from Google Books.
5. Halsbury's Laws of England. Fourth Edition. Reissue. Butterworths. London. 1995. Volume 44(1). Note 3 to paragraph 1227 at page 725.
6. Ilbert, C P. Legislative Methods and Forms. Oxford. 1901. Reprinted by the Lawbook Exchange Ltd. 2008. Page 57.