Acts of Parliament

You may find recent acts of parliament on line. See also The UK Statute Law Database.

The important acts are listed below with references to discussion. This list is organised chronologically, acts may cover what we consider to be several topics:


 * 1837 Wills Act
 * 1973 Matrimonial Causes Act
 * 1975 Inheritance (Provision for Faily and Dependants) Act
 * 1976 Legitimacy Act
 * 1976 Adoption Act
 * 1983 Marriage Act
 * 1984 Child Abduction Act
 * 1986 Family Law Act
 * 1988 Legal Aid Act
 * 1988 Matrimonial Proceedings (transfers) Act
 * 1988 School Boards (Scotland) Act
 * 1989 Children Act 1989 discussed Children Act 1989
 * 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and here
 * 1990 Courts and Legal Services Act
 * 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act
 * 1990 Marriage (Registration of Buildings) Act
 * 1990 Scottish legal services ombudsman: institution and functions
 * 1991 Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act
 * 1991 Child Support Act
 * 1991 Maintenance Enforcement Act
 * 1991 Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Disclosure of Information) Act
 * 1992 Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act
 * 1992 Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act
 * 1993 Education Act see Information as to parents & Ballot of parents & Religious Education
 * 1993 Sexual Offences Act
 * 1994 Education Act
 * 1994 Marriage Act amend the Marriage Act 1949 to allow marriages in interesting places
 * 1995 Child Support Act
 * 1995 Children (Scotland) Act
 * 1995 Pensions Act see Pensions on divorce
 * 1996 Education Act see religious education
 * 1996 Education (Scotland) Act
 * 1996 Family Law Act
 * 1996 Marriage Ceremony (Prescribed Words) Act
 * 1996 Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Act
 * 1997 Education Act
 * 1997 Education (Schools) Act
 * 1997 Protection from Harassment Act
 * 1977 Sexual Offences (Protected Material) Act
 * 1977 Sex Offenders Act
 * 1977 Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman and Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland Act
 * 1998 Data Protection Act
 * 1998 Human Rights Act
 * 1998 School Standards and Framework Act see religious education
 * 1998 Crime and Disorder Act
 * 1999 Access to Justice Act -- legal aid see Explanatory Notes
 * 1999 Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act see Explanatory Notes
 * 1999 Protection of Children Act see Explanatory Notes
 * 1999 Tax Credits Act see Explanatory Notes
 * 2000 Carers and Disabled Children Act see Explanatory Notes
 * 2000 Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act see Explanatory Notes
 * 2000 Children (Leaving Care) Act see Explanatory Notes
 * 2000 Freedom of Information Act see Explanatory Notes
 * 2000 Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act
 * 2000 Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act see Explanatory Notes
 * 2001 Children's Commissioner for Wales Act see Explanatory Notes
 * 2001 Human Reproductive Cloning Act see Explanatory Notes
 * 2001 Social Security Fraud Act see Explanatory Notes
 * 2001 Criminal Justice and Police Act (sect 42-44 provisions on Harassment) see Explanatory Notes
 * 2001 Special Educational Needs and Disability Act
 * 2002 Adoption and Children Act
 * 2002 Divorce (Religious Marriages) Act
 * 2002 Education Act
 * 2002 Tax Credits Act
 * 2003 Anti-social Behaviour Act
 * 2003 Courts Act
 * 2003 Criminal Justice Act
 * 2003 Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Deceased Fathers) Act
 * 2003 Sexual Offences Act
 * 2004 Child Trust Funds Act
 * 2004 Children Act
 * 2004 Civil Partnership Act
 * 2004 Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act
 * 2004 Justice (Northern Ireland) Act
 * 2005 Child Benefit Act
 * 2005 Education Act
 * 2005 Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act
 * 2006 Childcare Act
 * 2006 Children and Adoption Act
 * 2006 Equality Act
 * 2006 Work and Families Act