Central Criminal Court Act 1856

The Central Criminal Court Act 1856 (19 & 20 Vict., c.16), originally known as the Trial of Offences Act 1856 and popularly known as Palmer's Act, was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act allowed a crime committed outside London to be tried at the Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey, rather than locally.[1]

Background

The Act was passed in direct and urgent response to anxieties that doctor and accused murderer William Palmer would not be able to have a fair trial in his native Staffordshire owing to public revulsion at the allegations. By conducting Palmer's trial at a neutral venue, there could be no appeal for a retrial on the basis that the court and jury had been prejudiced against the defendant.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Knott (1912) p.12

Bibliography

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