Oaths Act 1978

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United Kingdom legislation

Oaths Act 1978[1]Act of Parliament

Parliament of the United Kingdom

Long title| An Act to consolidate the Oaths Act 1838 and the Oaths Acts 1888 to 1977, and to repeal, as obsolete, section 13 of the Circuit Courts (Scotland) Act 1828.
Citation| 1978 c. 19
Territorial extent |

* England and Wales
* Northern Ireland
* Scotland (Part II only)

Dates
Royal assent| 30 June 1978
Commencement| 30 July 1978
Other legislation
Repeals/revokes|

* Oaths Act 1838
* Oaths Act 1888
* Oaths Act 1909
* Oaths Act 1961

Status: Amended

Text of statute as originally enacted
Revised text of statute as amended

The Oaths Act 1978 (c. 19) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Part I of the act applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Section 1 provides that an oath may be administered by the person taking the oath holding the New Testament, or, in the case of a Jew, the Old Testament, in his uplifted hand, and saying or repeating after the officer administering the oath the words "I swear by Almighty God that ...", followed by the words of the oath prescribed by law. In the case of a person who is neither a Christian nor a Jew, the oath shall be administered in any lawful manner.

Part II of the act applies to the whole of the United Kingdom.

Section 3 provides that if any person to whom an oath is administered desires to swear with uplifted hand, in the form and manner in which an oath is usually administered in Scotland, he shall be permitted so to do, and the oath shall be administered to him in such form and manner without further question.

Section 4(2) provides that lack of religious belief does not affect the validity of an oath.

Section 5 provides for the making of a solemn affirmation by a person who objects to being sworn. A solemn affirmation may also be used where it is not reasonably practicable to administer an oath in a manner appropriate to a person's religious beliefs.

Section 6 provides that the form of a solemn affirmation is "I, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm ..." followed by the words of the oath prescribed by law, omitting any words of imprecation or calling to witness.

Section 7 repealed the Oaths Act 1838, the Oaths Act 1888, the Oaths Act 1909, the Oaths Act 1961 and section 8 of the Administration of Justice Act 1977.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ The citation of this Act by this short title is authorised by section 8(1) of this Act.

## External links

[edit]

English Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Oaths Act 1978

* Hansard, Introduction of the Oaths Bill, 23 March 1978
* Hansard, Second Reading of the Oaths Bill, 11 April 1978
* Hansard, Royal Assent to Oaths Bill, 30 June 1978

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