Quakers and Moravians Act 1838

The Quakers and Moravians Act 1838 (1 & 2 Vict. c. 77) was an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom, signed into law on August 10, 1838. Prior to this Act, Quakers and Moravians had been able to give an affirmation in lieu of an oath where one was required; for example, when giving evidence in court. This Act extended that privilege to those who were previously members of these groups and had seceded from them, retaining the conscientious objection to oaths. Any person choosing to make an affirmation under this Act was required to give a declaration to that extent, and would remain subject to the normal penalties of perjury for falsehood.

References

• The British almanac of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, for the year 1839. The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, London, 1839.