Parliamentary Papers Act 1840
| Dates | |
|---|---|
| Royal assent | 14 April 1840 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Parliamentary Papers Act 1840 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Parliamentary Papers Act 1840 (
Members of Parliament
.
Provisions
The Act provides that:
- Publications under the House's authority enjoy absolute privilegeagainst civil or criminal proceedings (s.1);
- Correct copies of such publications also enjoy absolute privilege (s.2);
- Extracts are protected by malice(s.3).
Publication for circulation among Members of Parliament is protected by absolute privilege under common law.[2] The Act received royal assent on 14 April 1840.
The Act is notable by being ex post facto – it changes the legal status of happenings before the Act was passed. As such, it is a precedent showing that Parliament has sovereignty over the past as well as the future.
See also
- Defamation Act 1952, s.9(1)
- Broadcasting Act 1990, s.203(1)
References
Bibliography
- Text of the Parliamentary Papers Act, without amendments
- Text of the Parliamentary Papers Act as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
- A Collection of the Public General Statutes passed in the Third and Fourth Year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, 1840. Printed by George E Eyre and Andrew Spottiswoode, printers to the Queen's most excellent majesty. London. 1840. Pages 99 to 100.
- Bradley, A. W. & Ewing, K. D. (2003). Constitutional and Administrative Law (13th ed.). London: Pearson. pp. 219–220. ISBN 0582438071.
