Benefit of Clergy Act 1575
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Long titleAn Act to take away clergy from the offenders in rape and burglary, and an order for the delivery of clerks convict without purgation.
Citation18 Eliz. 1. c. 7
Territorial extentEngland and Wales
Royal assent15 March 1576
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to take away clergy from the offenders in rape and burglary, and an order for the delivery of clerks convict without purgation. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 18 Eliz. 1. c. 7 |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 15 March 1576 |
| Commencement | 1 June 1576[a] |
| Repealed |
|
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Benefit of Clergy Act 1575 (18 Eliz. 1. c. 7), long title An Act to take away clergy from the offenders in rape and burglary, and an order for the delivery of clerks convict without purgation, was an act of the Parliament of England enacted during the reign of Elizabeth I.
It provided that if any person was found guilty of rape or burglary, they would suffer the death penalty as normal in felony cases, without being permitted the benefit of clergy.
The whole act was repealed for England and Wales by section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1828 (9 Geo. 4. c. 31) and for India by section 125 of the Criminal Law (India) Act 1828 (9 Geo. 4. c. 74).
