Dean Forest (Encroachments) Act 1838 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act to empower the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Woods, Forests and Land Revenues to confirm the Titles to, and to grant Leases of, Encroachments in the Forest of Dean in the County of Gloucester. |
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| Citation | 1 & 2 Vict. c. 42 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Wild Creatures and Forest Laws Act 1971 |
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Status: Repealed
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The Dean Forest (Encroachments) Act 1838 was an important law passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1838. It was created to help manage land in the Forest of Dean, a historic forest area in England. This law dealt with people who had built homes or used parts of the forest without official permission.
Contents
What Was the Dean Forest (Encroachments) Act?
This law, also known by its official citation 1 & 2 Vict. c. 42, was a special Act (or law) made by the UK government. Its main goal was to sort out land issues in the Forest of Dean. It gave power to a government department, the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Woods, Forests and Land Revenues, to deal with "encroachments."
What are Encroachments?
In this case, "encroachments" meant areas of the forest where people had built houses, farms, or other structures without proper legal ownership or permission. Over time, many people had settled in the forest and started using its land. This law aimed to bring order to these unofficial settlements.
What Did the Act Do?
The Act allowed the government to do two main things:
- Confirm Titles: This meant they could officially recognize and make legal the ownership of land for people who had been living on or using parts of the forest for a long time.
- Grant Leases: For other areas, the government could offer "leases." A lease is like a rental agreement, allowing people to use the land for a set period, usually in exchange for rent.
This law helped to solve problems related to land ownership and use in the Forest of Dean, making things clearer for both the government and the people living there.
When Did This Law End?
The Dean Forest (Encroachments) Act 1838 is no longer in effect today. The entire law was officially canceled, or "repealed," in 1971. This happened when a newer law, the Wild Creatures and Forest Laws Act 1971, was passed. The 1971 Act removed many older laws related to forests and wildlife.
See also
- English land law
- Dean Forest Act 1819
- Dean Forest Act 1667
- Dean Forest Act 1842
- Dean Forest Act 1861
