An Act to amend the Law relating to Promissory Oaths.
[31st July 1868]
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Act extended (S.) District Courts (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 20), s. 11(3)
C2This Act is not necessarily in the form in which it has effect in Northern Ireland
C3Preamble omitted under authority of Statute Law Revision Act 1893 (c. 14)
C4Act amended by Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20, SIF 85), s. 93(3)
C5Act extended by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 34, 37), s. 76(2)
C6Act restricted (E.W) (19.6.1997) by 1997 c. 25, ss. 69, 74(1) (with s. 73(1), Sch. 4 para. 27)
C7Act applied (6.5.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 84(4)(a) (with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2(2), Sch. 3
This Act may be cited for all purposes as: “The Promissory Oaths Act 1868.”
The oath in this Act referred to as the oath of allegiance shall be in the form following; that is to say,
“I, , do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.”
The oath in this Act referred to as the official oath shall be in the form following; that is to say,
“I, , do swear that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Victoria in the office of So help me God.”
The oath in this Act referred to as the judicial oath shall be in the form following; that is to say,
“I, , do swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria in the office of , and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of this realm, without fear or favour, affection or illwill. So help me God.”]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 4 repealed (N.I.) (15.10.2002) by 2002 c. 26, s. 86, Sch. 13; S.R.2002/319, art. 2, Sch.
The oath of allegiance and official oath shall be tendered to and taken by each of the officers named in the first part of the schedule annexed hereto as soon as may be after his acceptance of office by the officer, and in the manner in that behalf mentioned in the said first part of the said schedule.
Where the official oath or oath of allegiance is required to be taken by any member of the Scottish Executive in accordance with section 84(4) of the Scotland Act 1998, it shall be tendered to him by the Lord President of the Court of Session at a sitting of the Court.]
Textual Amendments
F2S. 5A and crossheading inserted (6.5.1999) by S.I. 1999/1042, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 2(2)
The oath of allegiance and judicial oath shall be taken by each of the officers named in the second part of the said schedule hereto as soon as may be after his acceptance of office, F4. . .]
Textual Amendments
F3S. 6 repealed (N.I.) (15.10.2002) by 2002 c. 26, s. 86, Sch. 13; S.R.2002/319, art. 2, Sch.
F4Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1875 (c. 66)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C8S. 6 modified by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37, 76:1), s. 125(6), Sch. 19 para. 6
(1)The oath set out in subsection (2) shall be tendered to and taken by the Lord Chancellor, after and in the same manner as the official oath, as soon as may be after his acceptance of office.
(2)The oath is—
“I, , do swear that in the office of Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain I will respect the rule of law, defend the independence of the judiciary and discharge my duty to ensure the provision of resources for the efficient and effective support of the courts for which I am responsible. So help me God.”.]
Textual Amendments
F5S. 6A inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 17, 148(1); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 14
If any officer specified in the schedule hereto [F6or any member of the Scottish Executive]declines or neglects, when any oath required to be taken by him under this Act [F7or section 84(4) of the Scotland Act 1998] is duly tendered, to take such oath, he shall, if he has already entered on his office, vacate the same, and if he has not entered on the same be disqualified from entering on the same; but no person shall be compelled, in respect of the same appointment to the same office, to take such oath . . . F8more times than one.
Textual Amendments
F6Words in s. 7 inserted (6.5.1999) by S.I. 1999/1042, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 2(3)(a)
F7Words in s. 7 inserted (6.5.1999) by S.I. 1999/1042, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 2(3)(b)
F8Words repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1981 (c. 19), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. VIII
The form of the oath of allegiance provided by this Act shall be deemed to be substituted [F9in the case of the M1Clerical Subscription Act 1865, for the form of the oath of allegiance and supremacy therein referred to]; in the case of the M2Parliamentary Oaths Act 1866, for the form of the oath thereby prescribed to be taken and subscribed by members of Parliament on taking their seats; . . . F10; and all the provisions of the said Acts shall apply to the oath substituted by this section, in the same manner as if that form of oath were actually inserted in [F9each of]the said Acts in the place of the oath for which it is substituted.
Textual Amendments
F9Words repealed (N.I.) by Statute Law Revision (Northern Ireland) Act 1980 (c. 59), s. 1, Sch. Pt. III
F10Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1966 (c. 5)
Marginal Citations
No person shall be required or authorized to take the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration, or any of such oaths, or any oath substituted for such oaths, or any of them, . . . F11except the persons required to take the oath of allegiance by this Act [F12and the M3Clerical Subscription Act 1865], and the M4Parliamentary Oaths Act 1866, [F13and the Scotland Act 1998,]or one of such Acts, any Act of Parliament, charter, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding; and no person shall be required or authorized to take the oath of assurance in Scotland.
Textual Amendments
F11Words repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1981 (c. 19), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. VIII
F12Words repealed (N.I.) by Statute Law Revision (Northern Ireland) Act 1980 (c. 59), s. 1, Sch. Pt. III
F13Words in s. 9 inserted (6.5.1999) by S.I. 1999/1042, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 2(4)
Marginal Citations
Where in any oath under this Act the name of Her present Majesty is expressed, the name of the Sovereign of this Kingdom for the time being shall be substituted from time to time.
Textual Amendments
The following regulations shall be enacted with respect to the substitution of declarations for oaths; (that is to say,)
1. Where before the passing of this Act an oath was required to be taken by any person on or as a condition of accepting any employment or office in Her Majesty’s honourable band of Gentlemen at Arms or bodyguard of Yeomen of the Guard, or in any other department of Her Majesty’s household, in such case a declaration of fidelity in office shall be substituted, with the addition (in cases where it seems meet to Her Majesty by Order in Council to make such addition) of a declaration of secrecy to be observed by the declarant with respect to matters coming within his cognizance by reason of his employment or office:
[F152. Where before the passing of this Act an oath was required to be taken by any person on or as a condition of accepting any office in or under a municipal corporation, or on or as a condition of admission to membership in or participation in the privileges of any municipal corporation, there shall be substituted for such oath, in the case of an office, a declaration that the declarant will faithfully perform the duties of his office, and in the case of admission to membership or participation in the privileges of a municipal corporation, a declaration that the declarant will faithfully demean himself as a member of or participator in the privileges of such corporation:]
3. Where before the passing of this Act an oath was required to be taken on or as a condition of admission to membership or fellowship or participation in the privileges of any guild, body corporate, society, or company, a declaration to the like effect of such oath shall be substituted: Provided, that if any two or more of the members of such guild, body corporate, society, or company, with the concurrence of the majority of the members present and voting at a meeting specially summoned for the purpose, object to any statement contained in such declaration on the ground of its relating to duties which by reason of change of circumstances have become obsolete, they may appeal to one of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State to omit such statement, and the decision of such Secretary of State shall be final:
4. Where in any case not otherwise provided for by this Act or included within the saving clauses thereof an oath is required to be taken by any person on or as a condition of his accepting any employment or office, a declaration shall be substituted for such oath to the like effect in all respects as such oath:
5. The making a declaration in pursuance of this section instead of oath shall in all respects have the same effect as the taking the oath for which such declaration is substituted would have had if this Act had not passed.
Textual Amendments
F15S. 12, para. 2 repealed (N.I.) by Statute Law Revision (Northern Ireland) Act 1980 (c. 59), s. 1, Sch. Pt. III
If any person required by this Act to make a declaration instead of an oath declines or neglects to make such declaration, he shall be subject to the same penalties and disabilities, if any, as he would have been subjected to for declining or neglecting to take the oath for which the declaration provided by this Act is substituted.
Nothing in this Act contained shall affect—
1. [F16The M5Clerical Subscription Act 1865, or] the M6Parliamentary Oaths Act 1866, except in relation to the form of oath in manner herein-before mentioned:
2. The oath taken by privy councillors of the United Kingdom, . . . F17, with the exception that the form of the oath of allegiance prescribed by this Act shall be substituted for the oath of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration now required to be taken by privy councillors:
3. The oath of homage taken by archbishops and bishops in the presence of Her Majesty:
4. The oath of canonical obedience to the bishop, or the oath of due obedience to the archbishop taken by bishops on consecration, and which oaths are reserved by the M7Clerical Subscription Act 1865:
5. Any oath taken by peers, baronets, or knights on their creation, with this exception, that where the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, or abjuration, or any two or one of such oaths, or any oath substituted for such oaths or any of them, are or is required to be taken by such peers, baronets, or knights, there shall be substituted for such oaths, or any two or one of them, the oath of allegiance prescribed by this Act:
6. Any oath required to be taken in the Army, the Marines, . . . F18.
7. The oath taken by aliens on being naturalized, . . . F19
8 . . . F20
9. Any power of substituting a declaration for an oath vested in the Treasury by the M8Statutory Declarations Act 1835.
10. Any oath required or authorized by Act of Parliament to be taken or made for the purpose of attesting any fact or verifying any account or document:
11 . . . F21
12. Any oath required to be taken by any juror, witness, or other person, in pursuance of any Act of Parliament or custom, as preliminary to or in the course of any civil, military, criminal, or other trial, inquest, or proceedings of a judicial nature, including any arbitration, or as preliminary to or in the course of any proceedings before a committee of either House of Parliament, or before any commissioner or other special tribunal appointed by the Crown.
Textual Amendments
F16Words repealed (N.I.) by Statute Law Revision (Northern Ireland) Act 1980 (c. 59), s. 1, Sch. Pt. III
F17Words repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1977 (c. 18), Sch. 1 Pt. XIV
F18Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1966 (c. 5)
F19Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1875 (c. 66)
Marginal Citations
Where a declaration has been substituted for an oath under this Act, any person, guild, body corporate, or society which before the passing of this Act had power to alter such oath, or to substitute another oath in its place, may exercise a like power with regard to such declaration.
Textual Amendments
F22S. 16 repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1875 (c. 66)
Section 5.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C9Pt. I extended by Board of Agriculture Act 1889 (c. 30), s. 8(2), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Act 1919 (c. 91), s. 1; S.I. 1955/554 (1955 I, p. 1200), art. 3(1) and Ministers of the Crown Act 1975 (c. 26), Sch. 1 para. 1
| First Lord of the Treasury. Chancellor of the Exchequer. Lord Chancellor. President of the Council. Lord Privy Seal. | |
| Secretaries of State. . . . F23 President of the Board of Trade . . . F23 Lord Steward. Lord Chamberlain. Earl Marshal. Master of the Horse. . . . F23 Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancas- ter Paymaster General . . . F23 | The oath as to England is to be tendered by the Clerk of the Council, and taken in presence of Her Majesty in Council, or otherwise as Her Majesty shall direct. Scotland |
| The Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. The Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal. The Lord Clerk Register. [F24The Advocate General for Scotland]. The Lord Justice Clerk. | The oath as to Scotland is to be tendered by the Lord President of the Court of Session at a sitting of the Court. Ireland . . . F23 |
Textual Amendments
F23Entries repealed by S.I. 1964/488, Sch. 1 Pt. II, 1970/1681, Sch. 4, Post Office Act 1969 (c. 48), Sch. 11 Pt. II and Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1977 (c. 18), Sch. 1 Pt. XIV
F24Words in Sch. Pt. I substituted (6.5.1999) by S.I. 1999/1042, art. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 1
Section 6.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C10Pt II of Schedule amended (E.W) (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/674, regs. 1(2), 2, Sch. Pt. II, para. 5(2)(j)
Pt II of Schedule amended (E.W) (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/675, regs. 1(2), 2, Sch. Pt. II para. 7(2)(j)
C11Pt. II extended by City of London (Courts) Act 1964 (c. IV), s. 15 and Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), s. 22(1)
C12Reference to Ireland to be construed as exclusive of Republic of Ireland: S.R. & O. 1923/405 (Rev. X, p. 298: 1923, p. 400), art. 2
C13Entries relating to the Lord Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls repealed (E.W.) by Supreme Court Act 1981 (c.54, SIF 37), s. 152(4), Sch. 7
C14By Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20, SIF 85), s. 93(3) it is provided that this Act shall have effect as if the Officers named in the Second Part of the Schedule included the Master of the Court of Protection
England
F25...
Textual Amendments
F25Words in Sch. Pt. 2 repealed (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 148(1), Sch. 17 para. 2, Sch. 18 Pt. 4; S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 paras. 28, 30(d)
The Lord Chief Justice.
The Master of the Rolls.
. . . F26
Textual Amendments
. . . F26
The Recorder of London.
Justices of the Peace F27. . ..
Textual Amendments
F27Words in Sch. Pt. II repealed (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 22, ss. 106, 108(3)(f), Sch. 15 Pt. V(1) (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)) and expressed to be repealed (27.9.1999) by S.I. 1999/2657, art. 2(d)(iii)
Scotland
The Lord Justice-General and President of the Court of Session in Scotland, the Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland, the Judges of the Court of Session in Scotland [F28, temporary judges of the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary appointed under section [F2920B(1) of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008],][F30sheriffs principal of sheriffdoms], [F31sheriffs, part-time sheriffs ][F32, summary sheriffs, part-time summary sheriffs] and Justices of the Peace . . . F33
Textual Amendments
F28Words in the second part of the Schedule inserted (S.) (1.4.1991) by Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 (c.40, SIF 76:2), s. 74, Sch. 8 Pt. II para. 23 S.I. 1991/822 art. 3 Schedule
F29Words in Sch. Second Pt. substituted (S.) (1.4.2015) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), Sch. 5 para. 34; S.S.I. 2015/77, art. 2(2)(3), Sch.
F30Words substituted by virtue of Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (c. 58), s. 4, Sch. 1 para. 1
F31Words in Sch. inserted (S.) (1.10.2009) by Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 (asp 6), ss. 27, 76(1); S.S.I. 2009/318, art. 2, Sch.
F32Words in Sch. Second Pt. inserted (S.) (1.4.2015) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), Sch. 5 para. 1; S.S.I. 2015/77, art. 2(2)(3), Sch.
F33Words repealed by District Courts (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 20), Sch. 2
[F34Ireland]
Textual Amendments
F34Sch. Pt. II: entry relating to Ireland repealed (N.I.) (15.10.2002) by 2002 c. 26, s. 86, Sch. 13; S.R. 2002/319, art. 2,Sch.
. . . F35
Textual Amendments
F35Entries repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1953 (2 & 3 Eliz. 2 c. 5)