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Peel's Acts facts for kids

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Peel's Acts (as they are commonly known) were Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. They consolidated provisions from a large number of earlier statutes which were then repealed. Their purpose was to simplify the criminal law. The term refers to the Home Secretary who sponsored them, Sir Robert Peel.

Some writers apply the term Peel's Acts to the series of Acts passed between 1826 and 1832. Other writers apply the term Peel's Acts specifically to five of those Acts, namely chapters 27 to 31 of the session 7 & 8 Geo 4 (1827).

According to some writers, the Criminal Law Act 1826 was the first of Peel's Acts.

The Acts were the product of a failed attempt to codify the criminal law.

The Acts 7 & 8 Geo. 4. cc. 27 to 31

These Acts are:

  • The Criminal Statutes Repeal Act 1827 (7 & 8 Geo. 4. c. 27)
  • The Criminal Law Act 1827 (7 & 8 Geo. 4. c. 28)
  • The Larceny Act 1827 (7 & 8 Geo. 4. c. 29)
  • The Malicious Injuries to Property Act 1827 (7 & 8 Geo. 4. c. 30)
  • The Remedies against the Hundred Act 1827 (7 & 8 Geo. 4. c. 31), also called the Riot Act 1827

The Criminal Law (Ireland) Act 1828 (9 Geo. 4. c. 54), and the Acts 9 Geo. 4. cc. 53, 55 and 56, made similar provision for Ireland.

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