The Statute of Westminster of 3 Edw. Chapter 5 which mandates free elections is still in force in the United Kingdom [ 1 ] and the Australian state of Victoria [ 2 ] whilst part of Chapter 1 remains in force in New Zealand.
William Stubbs gives a summary of the Statute: [ 4 ]. This act is almost a code by itself; it contains fifty-one clauses, and covers the whole ground of legislation. Its language now recalls that of Canute or Alfred , now anticipates that of our own day; on the one hand common right is to be done to all, as well poor as rich, without respect of persons; on the other, elections are to be free, and no man is by force, malice or menace, to disturb them.
The spirit of the Great Charter is not less discernible: excessive amercements , abuses of wardship, irregular demands for feudal aids, are forbidden in the same words or by amending enactments. The inquest system of Henry II of England , the law of wreck, and the institution of coroners, measures of Richard and his ministers, come under review as well as the Provisions of Oxford and the Statute of Marlborough.
Though it is a matter of dispute when peine forte et dure Law French for "hard and forceful punishment" was first introduced, chapter 3 states that those felons standing mute shall be put in prison forte et dure. The Statute of Westminster of was one of two English statutes largely drafted by Robert Burnell and passed during the reign of Edward I. According to Yuen Yuen Ang, the statute had replaced a previously communal regime of enforcing agreements with one based on "individual responsibility, territorial law, the central administration of justice, and personal collateral.
In the early history of the Lordship of Ireland , English statutes were often applied to Ireland. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikidata item. English statute. United Kingdom legislation. History [ edit ]. Chapters [ edit ]. Ireland [ edit ]. See also [ edit ]. References [ edit ]. Acts of the English Parliament.
