The Master and Servant Statute of 1823: 4 Geo. 4 c. 34, Enlarging the Powers of Justices Act. Issue 1 (1st September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hay, Douglas
• Is Part Of: Historical studies in industrial relations. Volume 43:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 23
• Publication Date: 2022-09-01
• Subjects: Industrial relations -- History -- Periodicals; Industrial relations; History; Periodicals; 331.09
• DOI: 10.3828/hsir.2022.43.2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1362-1572

Abstract

Abstract : 'Master and servant' law defined the terms of employment contracts, and enforced them with criminal penalties, to 1875. The origins of an important statute enacted in 1823 have been obscure. A manuscript correspondence shows that it was written by a few Staffordshire Justices of the Peace, one of them a Member of Parliament with large investments in coal mines, in order to derail a reform bill much more favourable to workers. The resulting 1823 statute, 4 Geo. 4 c. 34, Enlarging the Powers of Justices Act, contributed to the increasing unfairness of employment law, which for decades had been increasingly favouring employers over workers.