Search Legislation

Concealment of Birth (Scotland) Act 1809

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about opening options

Opening Options

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Legislation Crest

Concealment of Birth (Scotland) Act 1809

1809 CHAPTER 14

An Act for repealing an Act of the Parliament of Scotland, relative to Child Murder; and for making other Provisions in lieu thereof.

[20th March 1809]

WHEREAS by an [Sess. 2 Parl. 1. Gul. & Mar.] Act of the Parliament of Scotland, passed in the second Session of the first Parliament of King William and Queen Mary, intituled, Act anent murtbering of Children, it is enacted, that if any Woman (hall conceal her being with Child during the whole Space, and (hall not call for and make use of Help and Assistance in the Birth, the Child being found dead or amissing, the Mother (hall be holden and reputed the Murtherer of her own Child: And whereas the Punishment of Death has been found too rigorous for such an Offence; But nevertheless it is expedient that it should be repressed, and punished suitable to its Quality and Degree:

May it therefore please Your Majesty that it may be enacted ; and be it enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same,

Part of recited Act repealed.

That from and after the passing of this Act, the said in part recited Act of the Parliament of Scotland shall be and the same is hereby repealed.

IIConcealing Pregnancy, &c. how to be punished.

And be it further enacted, That if, from and after the passing of this Act, any Woman in that Part of Great Britain called Scotland, shall conceal her being with Child during the whole Period of her Pregnancy, and shall not call for and make use of Help or Assistance in the Birth, and if the Child be found dead or be amissing, the Mother being lawfully convicted thereof, Avail be imprisoned for a Period not exceeding Two Years, in such Common Gaol or Prison as the Court before which she is tried shall direct and appoint.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources