155 No written pleadings &c. allowed.
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Propose a changeLaw
Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897
United Kingdom · statute
Ask the law about thisMore laws of United KingdomFor machines: Markdown
In force since 2010-01-01, as the publisher states.
Copy read on 2026-11-09. The page it was read from
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.
sha256 1f882317ec7228e0969a9a7727c57ad1e202af3cd56b210cf35db0813c3dde75
Contents: 159 provisions
- Title and introductory text
- 1 Short title.
- 2 Extent and commencement of Act.
- 3 Definitions.
- 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 5 Local Government Board to be central authority.
- 6 Powers of Board to inquire into sanitary conditions of district.
- 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 8 Power to Board to appoint commissioners for conducting special inquiries.
- 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 12 Local authorities for the purposes of the Act.
- 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 27 Articles removed to be sold.
- 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 30 Penalty for injuring closet, &c. so as to cause nuisance.
- 31 Waterclosets, &c. used in common.
- 32 Prohibition or regulation of certain offensive businesses, and byelaws as to offensive businesses.
- 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 35 Local authorities may make byelaws as to pigstyes.
- 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 40 Houses in filthy state to be purified.
- 41 Provision for obtaining order for cleansing offensive ditches lying near to or forming boundaries of districts.
- 42 Periodical removal of manure from mews and other premises.
- 43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 44 Notification of infectious disease.
- 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 46 Provision of means for disinfecting bedding, &c.
- 47 Cleansing and disinfecting of premises, &c.
- 48 Disinfection of bedding. &c.
- 49 Persons engaged in washing or mangling clothes to furnish list of owners of clothes in certain cases.
- 50 Infectious matter thrown into ash-pits, &c. to be disinfected.
- 51 Penalty on letting houses in which infected persons have been lodging.
- 52 Penalty on persons letting houses making false statements as to infectious disease.
- 53 Penalty on ceasing to occupy house without disinfection or notice to owner, or on making false answer.
- 54 Removal to hospital of infected persons without proper lodging.
- 55 Detention of infected persons without proper lodging in hospital.
- 56 Penalty on exposure of infected persons and things.
- 57 Penalty on sending child to school, so as to spread infection.
- 58 Prohibitions on infected person carrying on business
- 59 Prohibition on conveyance, &c. of infected person in public conveyance.
- 60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 62 Prohibition of retention of dead body in certain cases.
- 63 Body of person dying of infectious disease in hospital, &c. to be removed only for burial.
- 64 Disinfection of public conveyances if used for carrying corpses.
- 65 Byelaws as to public conveyances.
- 66 Power of local authority to provide hospitals.
- 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 68 Power of local authority to provide mortuaries.
- 69 Power of sheriff, &c. in certain cases to order removal of dead body to mortuary.
- 70 Power of local authority to provide places for post-mortem examinations.
- 71 Power to sanitary authorities to unite for providing mortuary.
- 72 Power of local authority to make byelaws as to lodging-houses.
- 73 Tents and vans used for human habitation.
- 74 Rules as to underground dwellings.
- 75 Penalty on letting underground dwellings.
- 76 Cases in which two convictions have occurred within three months.
- 77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 89 Common lodging-houses to be registered.
- 90 No lodger to be received in common lodging-house till it has been inspected and registered.
- 91 Evidence of register.
- 92 Power to local authority to make byelaws.
- 93 Copy of bye-laws, to be furnished gratis to keepers.
- 94 Power to local authority to require additional supply of water.
- 95 Power to local authority to order reports from keepers.
- 96 Local authority may remove sick persons to hospitals, &c.
- 97 As to giving notice of fever, &c. occurring.
- 98 Inspection.
- 99 Cleansing.
- 100 Conviction for third offence, &c. to disqualify persons from keeping common lodging-houses.
- 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 114 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 116 Distilleries, &c. to deposit refuse.
- 117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 119 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 121 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 123 Works of distribution of sewage to be deemed a land improvement.
- 124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 131 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 133 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 137 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 138 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 140 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 141 Power of borrowing for hospitals, &c.
- 142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 144 Power to acquire lands.
- 145 Regulations as to compulsory purchase of land, &c.
- 146 Procedure if local authority neglect its duty under Act. Procedure under 18 & 19 Vict. c. 68.
- 147 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 148 Procurator fiscal may sue by directions of Board.
- 149 Procedure where nuisance beyond district.
- 150 Local authority may require payment of costs, &c from owner or occupier, and occupier paying to deduct from rent.
- 151 Penalty for wilful damage of works.
- 152 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 153 Recovery of penalties.
- 154 Form of applications to the sheriff, &c.
- 155 No written pleadings &c. allowed.
- 156 Appeal in certain cases.
- 156A Appeal to sheriff or sheriff principal in certain cases: sections 54, 55 and 96
- 156B Further appeal to sheriff principal: section 96 decision
- 156C Further appeal to Court of Session: sections 54, 55 and 96
- 156D Effect of appeal in relation to section 54 order, section 55 direction or section 96 decision
- 157 No appeal otherwise.
- 158 Justices, &c. being members of local authority may act.
- 159 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 161 One or more joint owners may be proceeded against alone.
- 162 Penalty on occupier obstructing owner.
- 163 Penalty for violating Act or obstructing its execution.
- 164 Compensation to be made.
- 165 Convictions not void for want of form.
- 166 Local authority or Board not liable for irregularity of their officers.
- 167 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 168 Exemption from stamp duties.
- 169 Police constables to aid in executing Act.
- 170 Act not to impair right of action, &c.
- 171 Powers of Act cumulative.
- 172 Constitution of port local authorities.
- 173 Jurisdiction of port local authority.
- 174 Delegation of powers by port local authority.
- 175 Expenses of port local authority.
- 176 Proceedings for raising a sum for payment of debt within district of a defaulting authority.
- 177 Provision as to ships within the jurisdiction of local authority.
- 178 Provision as to district of local authority extending to places where ships are lying.
- 179 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 183 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 189 Act not to affect navigation of rivers or canals, or irrigation of lands.
- 190 Saving of certain Acts.
- 191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 193 Reference to Public Health Acts.
- 194 Exemption of Government property from building regulations.
- 195 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 196 Repeal of Acts.
- FIRST SCHEDULE
- SECOND SCHEDULE
Proposed changes to this act
No one has proposed a change to this act yet.
159 provisions
156 Appeal in certain cases.
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Propose a change156A Appeal to sheriff or sheriff principal in certain cases: sections 54, 55 and 96
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Propose a change156B Further appeal to sheriff principal: section 96 decision
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Propose a change156C Further appeal to Court of Session: sections 54, 55 and 96
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Propose a change156D Effect of appeal in relation to section 54 order, section 55 direction or section 96 decision
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Propose a change157 No appeal otherwise.
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Propose a change158 Justices, &c. being members of local authority may act.
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Propose a change159 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change161 One or more joint owners may be proceeded against alone.
In case of any demand or complaint under this Act to which two or more parties, whether as owners or occupiers of premises, may be jointly answerable, it shall be sufficient to proceed against any one or more of them without proceeding against the others or other of them, and any one or more of such persons may be proceeded against, notwithstanding that the acts or defaults of any one or more of them would not separately be an offence against this Act; but nothing herein contained shall prevent the parties so proceeded against from recovering relief in any case in which they would now be entitled to relief by law. Proceedings against several persons included in one demand or complaint shall not lapse by reason of the death of any one or more of such persons, but all such proceedings may be carried on as if the deceased persons had not been originally so included. Whenever in any proceeding under the provisions of this Act relating to nuisances it becomes necessary to mention or refer to the owner or occupier of any premises, it shall be sufficient to designate him as the owner or occupier of such premises without name or further description.
Propose a change162 Penalty on occupier obstructing owner.
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Propose a change163 Penalty for violating Act or obstructing its execution.
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Propose a change164 Compensation to be made.
Full compensation shall be made, out of any fund or assessment applicable to the purposes of this Act, to all persons sustaining any damage by reason of the exercise of any of the powers of this Act, except when otherwise specially provided; and in case of dispute, if the sum claimed do not exceed the sum of fifty pounds sterling, the same may be ascertained on a summary application by either party to the sheriff or sheriff principal, whose decision shall be final and not subject to review, unless when pronounced by the sheriff, in which case it may be reviewed by the sheriff principal on appeal; and when the sum claimed exceeds fifty pounds sterling, such compensation shall be ascertained and disposed of by a sole arbiter appointed in manner set forth in sub-section eleven of section one hundred and forty-five of this Act.
Propose a change165 Convictions not void for want of form.
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Propose a change166 Local authority or Board not liable for irregularity of their officers.
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Propose a change167 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change168 Exemption from stamp duties.
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Propose a change169 Police constables to aid in executing Act.
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Propose a change170 Act not to impair right of action, &c.
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Propose a change171 Powers of Act cumulative.
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Propose a change172 Constitution of port local authorities.
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Propose a change173 Jurisdiction of port local authority.
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Propose a change174 Delegation of powers by port local authority.
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Propose a change175 Expenses of port local authority.
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Propose a change176 Proceedings for raising a sum for payment of debt within district of a defaulting authority.
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Propose a change177 Provision as to ships within the jurisdiction of local authority.
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Propose a change178 Provision as to district of local authority extending to places where ships are lying.
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Propose a change179 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change183 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change189 Act not to affect navigation of rivers or canals, or irrigation of lands.
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Propose a change190 Saving of certain Acts.
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Propose a change191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change193 Reference to Public Health Acts.
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Propose a change194 Exemption of Government property from building regulations.
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Propose a change195 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change196 Repeal of Acts.
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Propose a changeFIRST SCHEDULE
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Propose a changeSECOND SCHEDULE
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Propose a change