Acts of Parliament on slavery and the slave trade
Acts of Parliament on slavery and the slave trade

► Royal Navy ► Slave trade legislation

28 Geo III c. 54
An Act to regulate, for a limited Time, the shipping and carrying Slaves in British Vessels from the Coast of Africa. [1788]

29 Geo III c. 66
An Act to continue, for a limited Time, and amend an Act, made in the last Session of Parliament, intituled, An Act to regulate, for a limited Time, the shipping and carrying Slaves in British Vessels from the Coast of Africa. [1789]

30 Geo III c. 33
An Act to amend and continue, for a limited Time, several Acts of Parliament for regulating the shipping and carrying Slaves in British Vessels from the Coast of Africa. [1790]

31 Geo III c. 54
An Act to continue, for a limited Time, and to amend an Act, made in the last Session of Parliament, intituled, An Act to amend and continue, for a limited Time, several Acts of Parliament for regulating the shipping and carrying Slaves in British Vessels from the Coast of Africa. [1791]

32 Geo III c. 52
An Act to continue, for a limited Time, several Acts of Parliament for regulating the shipping and carrying Slaves in British Vessels from the Coast of Africa. [1792]

33 Geo III c. 73
An Act to continue, for a limited Time, and to amend several Acts of Parliament for regulating the Shipping and carrying Slaves in British Vessels from the Coast of Africa. [17 June 1793]

34 Geo III c. 80
An Act to continue, for a limited Time, and to amend an Act, passed in the last Session of Parliament, intituled An Act to continue, for a limited Time, and to amend several Acts of Parliament for regulating the Shipping and carrying Slaves in British Vessels from the Coast of Africa. [7 July 1794]

35 Geo III c. 90
An Act for regulating the shipping and carrying Slaves in British Vessels from the Coast of Africa [22 June 1795]

37 Geo III c. 104
An Act for regulating the shipping and carrying of Slaves in British Vessels from the Coast of Africa. [19 July 1797]

37 Geo III c. 118
An Act for regulating the Height between Decks of Vessels entered outwards for the Purpose of carrying Slaves from the Coast of Africa. [19 July 1797]

37 Geo III c. 119
An Act to repeal so much of an Act, made in the fifth Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Second, intituled, An Act for the more easy Recovery of Debts in His Majesty's Plantations and Colonies in America, as makes Negroes Chattels for the Payment of Debts [19 July 1797]

38 Geo III c. 88
An Act for regulating, until the first Day of August one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine, the shipping and carrying of Slaves in British Vessels from the Coast of Africa. [28 June 1798]

39 Geo III c. 80
An Act for better regulating the Manner of carrying Slaves, in British Vessels from the Coast of Africa. [12 July 1799]

46 Geo III c. 52
An Act to prevent the Importation of Slaves, by any of His Majesty's Subjects into any Islands, Colonies, Plantations or Territories belonging to any Foreign Sovereign, State or Power; and also to render more effectual a certain Order made by His Majesty in Council on the Fifteenth day of August One thousand eight hundred and five, for prohibiting the Importation of Slaves (except in certain cases) into any of the Settlements, Islands, Colonies or Plantations, on the Continent of America, or in the West Indies, which have been surrendered to His Majesty's Arms during the present War; and to prevent the fitting out of Foreign Slave Ships, from the British Ports [23 May 1806]

46 Geo III c. 119
An Act to prohibit for two Years after the Conclusion of the present Session of Parliament, any Ships to clear out from any Port of Great Britain, for the Coast of Africa, for the Purpose of taking on board Negroes, unless such Ships shall have been previously employed in the African Trade, or contracted for, for that Purpose. [21 July 1806]

47 Geo III Sess. 1 c. 36
An Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade [25 March 1807]

47 Geo III Sess. 2 c. 44
An Act for transferring to His Majesty, certain Possessions and Rights vested in the Sierre Leone Company, and for shortening the Duration of the said Company; and for preventing any dealing or trafficking in the buying or selling of Slaves within the Colony of Sierre Leone [8 August 1807]

51 Geo III c. 23
An Act for rendering more effectual an Act made in the Fourty seventh Year of His Majesty's reign, intituled An Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade [14 May 1811]

53 Geo III c. 112
An Act to enlarge the Time for commencing Prosecutions for Forfeitures under certain Acts relating to the Abolition of the Slave Trade [10 July 1813]

54 Geo III c. 59
An Act to allow Ships taken and condemned for being used in carrying on the Slave Trade, to be registered as British-built ships [27 May 1814]

55 Geo III c. 172
An Act to provide for the Support of captured Slaves during the Period of Adjudication [11 July 1815]

58 Geo III c. 36
An Act to carry into Execution a Treaty made between His Majesty and the King of Spain, for preventing Traffic in Slaves [28 May 1818]

58 Geo III c. 49
An Act to explain Three Acts, passed in the Forty sixth, Forty seventh and Fifty first Years of His Majesty's Reign, respectively, for the Abolition of the Slave Trade [30 May 1818]

58 Geo III c. 85
An Act to carry into Execution a Convention made between His Majesty and the King of Portugal, for the preventing Traffic in Slaves [5 June 1818]

58 Geo III c. 98
An Act to explain and amend an Act passed in the Fifty first Year of His Majesty's Reign, for rendering more effectual an Act made in the Forty seventh year of His Majesty's Reign, for the Abolition of the Slave Trade [10 June 1818]

59 Geo III c. 16
An Act to carry into Effect the Treaty with the Netherlands, relating to the Slave Trade [31 March 1819]

59 Geo III c. 17
An Act to amend an Act of last Session of Parliament, for carrying into execution a Convention made between His Majesty and the King of Portugal, for the preventing the Traffic in Slaves [31 March 1819]

59 Geo III c. 97
An Act to extend the provisions of an Act made in the Forty sixth Year of His Majesty's Reign, intituled An Act for the more speedy Trail of Offences committed in distant Parts upon the Seas, to the Trail of Offences committed in Africa against the Laws abolishing the Slave Trade [12 July 1819]

59 Geo III c. 120
An Act for establishing a Registry of Colonial Slaves in Great Britain, and for making further Provision with respect to the removal of Slaves from British Colonies [12 July 1819]

1 Geo IV c. 50
An Act to carry into Effect certain Licences, permitting the removal of Negro Slaves from the Bahama islands to Demerara [15 July 1820]

1&2 Geo IV c. 99
An Act for the Appropriation of certain Proceeds arising from the Capture of Vessels and Cargoes, the Property of the Subjects of the Kings of Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, taken and seized in Violation of the Conventions made with those States, and for granting Bounties upon Slaves captured in such Vessels, and also for granting Indemnity to the Captors of certain Vessels taken in the Prosecution of the Slave Trade [10 July 1821]

5 Geo IV c. 17
An Act for the more effectual Suppression of the African Slave Trade [31 March 1824]

5 Geo IV c. 113
An Act to amend and consolidate the Laws relating to the Abolition of the Slave Trade [24 June 1824]

7&8 Geo IV c. 54
An Act to carry into Effect the Treaty with Sweden relative to the Slave Trade [2 July 1827]

7&8 Geo IV c. 74
An Act to carry into Execution a Convention between His Majesty and the Emperor of Brazil for the Regulation and final Abolition of the African Slave Trade [2 July 1827]

9 Geo IV c. 84
An Act to continue an Act for amending and consolidating the Laws relating to the Abolition of the Slave Trade [25 July 1828]

11 Geo IV & 1 Will IV c. 55
An Act to reduce the Rate of Bounties payable upon the Seizure of Slaves [16 July 1830]

3&4 Will IV c. 72
An Act for carrying into effect Two Conventions with the King of the French for suppressing the Slave Trade [28 August 1833]

3&4 Will IV c. 73
An Act for the Abolition of Slavery throughout the British Colonies; for promoting the Industry of the manumitted Slaves; and for compensating the Persons hitherto entitled to the Services of such Slaves [28 August 1833]

5&6 Will IV c. 45
An Act to carry into further Execution the Provisions of an Act passed in the Third and Fourth Years of His present Majesty, for compensating Owners of Slaves upon the Abolition of Slavery [31 August 1835]

5&6 Will IV c. 60
An Act for carrying into effect a Treaty with the King of the French and the King of Sardinia for suppressing the Slave Trade [9 September 1835]

5&6 Will IV c. 61
An Act for carrying into effect the Treaty with the King of the French and the King of Denmark for suppressing the Slave Trade [9 September 1835]

6&7 Will IV c. 5
An Act for carrying into further Execution Two Acts of His present Majesty relating to the Compensation for Slaves upon the Abolition of Slavery, and for facilitating the Distribution and Payment of such Compensation [18 March 1836]

6&7 Will IV c. 6
An Act for carrying into effect a Treaty made between His Majesty and the Queen Regent of Spain for the Abolition of the Slave Trade [30 March 1836]

6&7 Will IV c. 16
An Act to revive and continue in force, until the First Day of August One thousand eight hundred and forty, an Act of the Legislature of Jamaica to explain and amend an Act for the Abolition of Slavery in that Island, and in aid of the same [7 June 1836]

6&7 Will IV c. 81
An Act to authorize His Majesty, until Six Months after the Commencement of the next Session of Parliament, to carry into immediate Execution, by Orders in Council, any Treaties, Conventions, or Stipulations made with any Foreign Power or State for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [17 August 1836]

6&7 Will IV c. 82
An Act to carry into further Execution an Act for compensating Owners of Slaves upon the Abolition of Slavery, and for completing the full Payment of such Compensation [17 August 1836]

7 Will IV & 1 Vict c. 62
An Act to authorise Her Majesty, until Six Months after the Commencement of the next Session of Parliament, to carry into immediate Execution, by Orders in Council, any Treaties, Conventions, or Stipulations made with any Foreign Power or State for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [15 July 1837]

7 Will IV & 1 Vict c. 88
An Act to amend certain Acts related to the Crime of Piracy [17 July 1837]

1&2 Vict c. 3
An Act to carry into further Execution the Provisions of an Act for completing the full Payment of Compensation to Owners of Slaves upon the Abolition of Slavery [23 December 1837]

1&2 Vict c. 19
An Act to amend the Act for the Abolition of Slavery in the British Colonies [11 April 1838]

1&2 Vict c. 39
An Act to carry into effect a Convention of Accession of the Hans Towns to Two Conventions with the King of the French, for suppressing the Slave Trade [27 July 1838]

1&2 Vict c. 40
An Act to carry into effect an additional Article to a Treaty with Sweden relative to the Slave Trade [27 July 1838]

1&2 Vict c. 41
An Act to carry into effect an additional Article to a Treaty with the Netherlands relative to the Slave Trade [27 July 1838]

1&2 Vict c. 47
An Act for the better and more effectually carrying into effect the Treaties and Conventions made with Foreign Powers for suppressing the Slave Trade [27 July 1838]

1&2 Vict c. 83
An Act for carrying into effect a Convention of Accession of the Duke of Tuscany to Two Conventions with the King of the French for suppressing the Slave Trade [10 August 1838]

1&2 Vict c. 84
An Act for carrying into effect a Convention of Accession of the King of the Two Sicilies to Two Conventions with the King of the French for suppressing the Slave Trade [10 August 1838]

1&2 Vict c. 102
An Act to revive and continue, until Six Months after the Commencement of the next Session of Parliament, and to amend, an Act for authorizing Her Majesty to carry into immediate Execution by Orders in Council any Treaties made for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [14 August 1838]

2&3 Vict c. 57
An Act to continue, until Six Months after the Commencement of the next Session of Parliament, an Act of the last Session of Parliament, for authorizing Her Majesty to carry into immediate Execution by Orders in Council any Treaties made for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [17 August 1839]

2&3 Vict c. 73
An Act for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [24 August 1839]

3&4 Vict c. 64
An Act to continue until eight Months after the Commencement of the next Session of Parliament an Act authorizing Her Majesty to carry into immediate execution, by Orders in Council, any Treaties for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [7 August 1840]

3&4 Vict c. 67
An Act for carrying into effect the Treaty between Her Majesty and the Republic of Venezuela for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [7 August 1840]

4&5 Vict c. 18
An Act to make further Provision for facilitating and completing the Distribution and Payment of Compensation for Slaves upon the Abolition of Slavery [18 May 1841]

5&6 Vict c. 40
An Act for carrying into effect the Treaty between Her Majesty and the Argentine Confederation for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [30 June 1842]

5&6 Vict c. 41
An Act for carrying into effect a Convention between Her Majesty and the Republic of Hayti for the more effectual Suppression of the Slave Trade [30 June 1842]

5&6 Vict c. 42
An Act for better and more effectually carrying into effect Treaties and Conventions with Foreign States for suppressing the Slave Trade [30th June 1842]

5&6 Vict c. 59
An Act to continue until the First Day of August One thousand eight hundred and forty-three an Act for authorizing Her Majesty to carry into immediate Execution, by Orders in Council, any Treaties for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [30 July 1842]

5&6 Vict c. 91
An Act to amend an Act of the Second and Third Years of Her Majesty, for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [10 August 1842]

5&6 Vict c. 101
An Act for extending to the Governors and Officers of the East India Company the Powers given by an Act of the Fifth Year of King George the Fourth to Her Majesty's Governors and Officers for the more effectual Suppression on the Importation of Slaves into India by Sea [10 August 1842]

5&6 Vict c. 114
An Act to repeal so much of an Act of the Second and Third Years of Her present Majesty, for the Suppression of the Slave Trade, as relates to Portugueze vessels [12 August 1842]

6&7 Vict c. 14
An Act carrying into effect a Treaty between Her Majesty and the Republic of Bolivia for the Abolition of the Slave Trade [11 April 1843]

6&7 Vict c. 15
An Act carrying into effect the Treaty between Her Majesty and the Republic of Texas for the Suppression of the African Slave Trade [11 April 1843]

6&7 Vict c. 16
An Act carrying into effect the Treaty between Her Majesty and the Oriental Republic of the Uruguay, for the Abolition of the Slave Trade [11 April 1843]

6&7 Vict c. 46
An Act to continue until the first day of August One thousand eight hundred and forty-four, and to the end of the then Session of Parliament, an Act for authorizing Her Majesty to carry into immediate Execution by orders in Council any Treaties for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [10 August 1843]

6&7 Vict c. 50
An Act for carrying into execution a Treaty signed at London for the Suppression of the Slave Trade, so far as the same relates to Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia [10 August 1843]

6&7 Vict c. 51
An Act for carrying into effect the Treaty between Her Majesty and the Mexican Republic for the Abolition of the Traffic in Slaves [10 August 1843]

6&7 Vict c. 52
An Act for carrying into effect the Treaty between Her Majesty and the Republic of Chile for the Abolition of the Traffic in Slaves [10 August 1843]

6&7 Vict c. 53
An Act for carrying into effect the Treaty between Her Majesty and the Queen of Portugal for the Suppression of the Traffic in Slaves [10 August 1843]

6&7 Vict c. 98
An Act for the more effectual Suppression of the Slave Trade [24 August 1843]

7&8 Vict c. 26
An Act for authorizing Her Majesty to carry into immediate Execution, by Orders in Council any Treaties for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [4 July 1844]

8&9 Vict c. 122
An Act to amend an Act, intituled An Act to carry into Execution a Convention between His Majesty and the Emperor of Brazil, for the Regulation and Final Abolition of the African Slave Trade [8 August 1845]

11&12 Vict c. 116
An Act for carrying into effect the Treaty between Her Majesty and the Republic of the Equator for the Abolition of the Traffic in Slaves [4 September 1848]

11&12 Vict c. 128
An Act for carrying into effect the Agreement between Her Majesty and the Imaum of Muscat for the more effectual Suppression of the Slave Trade [5 September 1848]

12&13 Vict c. 84
An Act for carrying into effect Engagements between Her Majesty and certain Arabian Chiefs in the Persian Gulf for the more effectual Suppression of the Slave Trade [1 August 1849]

16&17 Vict c. 16
An Act for carrying into effect the Engagement between Her Majesty and Syed Syf bin Hamood, the Chief of Sohar in Arabia for the more effectual Suppression of the Slave Trade [9 May 1853]

16&17 Vict c. 17
An Act for carrying into effect the Treaty between Her Majesty and the Republic of New Granada for the Suppression of the Slave Trade [9 May 1853]

16&17 Vict c. 86
An Act to remove Doubts as to the Rights of the liberated Africans in Sierra Leone [20 August 1853]

18&19 Vict c. 85
An Act for carrying into effect the Engagements between Her Majesty and certain Chiefs of the Sherbro Country near Sierra Leone in Africa, for the more effectual Suppression of the Slave Trade [14 August 1855]

25&26 Vict c. 40
An Act to carry into effect the Treaty between Her Majesty and the United States of America for the Suppression of the African Slave Trade (African Slave Trade Treaty Act (No. 1), 1862) [17 July 1862]

25&26 Vict c. 90
An Act for rectifying a clerical Error in the Act of the present Session, Chapter Forty, with respect to the African Slave Trade Treaty [7 August 1862] (African Slave Trade Treaty Act (No. 2), 1862)

26&27 Vict c. 24
An Act to facilitate the Appointment of Vice Admirals and of Officers in Vice Admiralty Courts in Her Majesty's Possessions abroad, and to confirm the past Proceedings, to extend the Jurisdiction, and to amend the Practice of those Courts [8th June 1863] (Vice-Admiralty Courts Act, 1863)

26&27 Vict c. 34
An Act to carry into effect an additional Article to the Treaty of the Seventh Day of April One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two between Her Majesty and the United States of America, for the Suppression of the African Slave Trade [29 June 1863] (African Slave Trade Treaty Act, 1863)

32&33 Vict c. 2
An Act for repealing the Act of the Session of the eighth and ninth Years of the Reign of Her present Majesty, chapter one hundred and twenty-two [19 April 1969] (Brazilian Slave Trade Repeal Act, 1869)

32&33 Vict c. 75
An Act to regulate and extend the Jurisdiction of Her Majesty's Consul at Zanzibar in regard to vessels captured on suspicion of being engaged in the Slave Trade, and for other purposes relating thereto [9 August 1869] (Slave Trade Jurisdiction (Zanzibar) Act, 1869)

36&37 Vict c. 59
An Act for regulating and extending the Jurisdiction in matters connected with the Slave Trade of the Vice-Admiralty Court at Aden, and of Her Majesty's Consuls under Treaties with the Sovereigns of Zanzibar, Muscat, and Madagascar, and under future Treaties [5 August 1873] (Slave Trade (East African Courts) Act, 1873)

36&37 Vict c. 88
An Act for consolidating with Amendments the Acts for carrying into effect Treaties for the more effectual Suppression of the Slave Trade, and for other purposes connected with the Slave Trade [5 August 1873] (Slave Trade Act, 1873)

39&40 Vict c. 46
An Act for more effectually punishing Offences against the Laws relating to the Slave Trade [11 August 1876] (Slave Trade Act, 1876)

42&43 Vict c. 38
An Act to amend the Slave Trade (East African Courts) Act, 1873 [11 August 1879] (Slave Trade (East African Courts) Act, 1879)

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