Statute of Westminster 1931

The Statute of Westminster 1931 was the enactment of the United Kingdom Parliament (December 11, 1931) which established a status of legislative equality between the self-governing dominions of the British Empire and the United Kingdom. (There exist also the unrelated Statutes of Westminster of 1275, 1285 and 1290 (known as First, Second and Third), passed by the parliaments of King Edward I.) The Statute is sometimes referred to, especially in the former dominions, as the Treaty of Westminster, although it was not in the form of a treaty.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - December 11 - 1931 - Dominion - British Empire - Statutes of Westminster - 1275 - 1285 - 1290 - King Edward I - Treaty

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The Statute applied to the dominions which existed in 1931: the Dominion of Canada, New Zealand, Newfoundland, the Irish Free State, the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Union of South Africa. It excluded revisions of the Acts of Parliament upon which the constitutions of Canada, Australia and New Zealand were founded. Further, it did not apply to Australia, New Zealand or Newfoundland unless and until ratified by their respective Parliaments. Australia ratified the Statute in 1942 to clarify Government war powers; the adoption was backdated to the start of World War II in September 1939. New Zealand adopted the Statute in 1947. Newfoundland never adopted the Statute — Britain resumed direct rule in 1934 and retained it until Newfoundland became a Province of Canada in 1949.

Related Topics:
Dominion - Dominion of Canada - New Zealand - Newfoundland - Irish Free State - Commonwealth of Australia - Union of South Africa - 1942 - World War II - 1939 - 1947 - 1934 - 1949

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The Statute is of historical importance because it marked the independence of these countries, either immediately or upon ratification. Its residual constitutional powers have been superseded by subsequent legislation. Its current relevance is that it sets the basis for the continuing relationship between the Commonwealth Realms and the structure of the Crown.

Related Topics:
Commonwealth Realm - The Crown

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