Oaths Act 1775

AN ACT to impower Justices of the Peace to administer Oaths where any Penalty is to be levied or Distress to be made, in pursuance of any Act of Parliament, wherein the same is not expressly directed.

WHEREAS it is frequently necessary for justices of the peace to administer oaths or affirmations, where penalties are to be levied or distresses to be made, in pursuance of Acts of Parliament, which they have no power to administer, unless authorised so to do by such Acts respectively: May it therefore please your Majesty that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that in all cases where any penalty is directed to be levied or distress to be made, by any Act of Parliament now in force or hereafter to be made, it shall and may be lawful for any justice or justices acting under the authority of such Acts respectively, and he and they is and are hereby authorised and impowered to administer an oath or oaths, affirmation or affirmations, to any person or persons, for the purpose of levying such penalties or making such distresses respectively.