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Wild Creatures and Forest Laws Act 1971 facts for kids

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Wild Creatures and Forest Laws Act 1971
Long title An Act to abolish certain rights of Her Majesty to wild creatures and certain related rights and franchises; to abrogate the forest law (subject to exceptions); and to repeal enactments relating to those rights and franchises and to forests and the forest law; and for connected purposes.
Statute book chapter 1971 c. 47
Territorial extent Does not extend to Scotland, except for the partial repeal of section 2 of the Night Poaching Act 1828.
Dates
Royal Assent 1 July 1971
Commencement 1 July 1971
Other legislation
Related legislation Night Poaching Act 1828
Status: Amended
Revised text of statute as amended

The Wild Creatures and Forest Laws Act 1971 (c 47) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act implemented recommendations contained in the second report on statute law revision, by the Law Commission.

Provisions

Section 1(1) repealed the longest standing statute in England, the Charter of the Forest 1217, by abolishing “any prerogative right of Her Majesty to wild creatures (except royal fish and swans) together with any prerogative right to set aside land or water for the breeding, support or taking of wild creatures; and any franchises of forest, free chase, park or free warren.” This preserves Crown rights of ownership over royal fish (whales and sturgeons) and mute swans.

In section 2(3), the words from "and" onwards were repealed by section 41(1) of, and Part I of Schedule 6 to, the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.

See also

  • English land law
  • UK environmental law
  • Charter of the Forest 1217
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