Law

Municipal Corporations Act 1882

United Kingdom · statute

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In force since 2007-02-27, 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.

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Contents: 121 provisions
  1. Title and introductory text
  2. 1 Short title.
  3. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  4. 3 Extent.
  5. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  6. 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  7. 7 Interpretation and construction.
  8. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  9. 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  10. 10– 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  11. 26–28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  12. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  13. 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  14. 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  15. 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  16. 34–43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  17. 44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  18. 45 The burgess roll and ward rolls.
  19. 46–49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  20. 50–62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  21. 63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  22. 64–70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  23. 71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  24. 72–75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  25. 76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  26. 77–104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  27. 105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  28. 106–110 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  29. 111 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  30. 112–116 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  31. 117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  32. 118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  33. 119 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  34. 120–122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  35. 123 Power to continue rates for special purposes.
  36. 124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  37. 125–132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  38. 133 Administration of charitable trusts and vesting of legal estate.
  39. 134 Corporation to be trustee where corporators trustees.
  40. 135 Appointment of members of council to be trustees in cases of joint trusts and other cases.
  41. 136 Transfer of powers of local authorities to municipal corporations.
  42. 137 Power for council to extend local lighting Act.
  43. 138 Exercise of powers under local Acts.
  44. 139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  45. 140 Application of borough fund.
  46. 141–143 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  47. 144 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  48. 145 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  49. 146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  50. 147–148 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  51. 149 Borough rate to go to borough fund; and its application.
  52. 150 General exemption of quarter sessions boroughs from county rate.
  53. 151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  54. 152 Liability of certain quarter sessions boroughs to other county expenses.
  55. 153 Mode of accounting by borough to county.
  56. 154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  57. 155
  58. 156–158
  59. 159
  60. 160 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  61. 162–168 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  62. 169 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  63. 170 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  64. 172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  65. 173 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  66. 175–177 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  67. 178–184 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  68. 185 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  69. 186 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  70. 187 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  71. 188 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  72. 190–192 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  73. 193 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  74. 194–200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  75. 201–218 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  76. 219 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  77. 220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  78. 221 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  79. 222 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  80. 223 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  81. 224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  82. 226 Provisions for protection of persons acting under Act.
  83. 227 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  84. 228 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  85. 230 Computation of time.
  86. 231 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  87. 232 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  88. 234 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  89. 235 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  90. 236 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  91. 237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  92. 238 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  93. 239 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  94. 241 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  95. 242 Provision for references in unrepealed enactments to 5 & 6 Will. 4. c. 76, &c.
  96. 243 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  97. 244 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  98. 245 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  99. 246 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  100. 247 Right of free trading in boroughs.
  101. 248 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  102. 249 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  103. 250 Saving for existing corporations.
  104. 251 Saving for local Acts.
  105. 252 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  106. 253 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  107. 254 Saving for dockyards, barracks, &c.
  108. 255 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  109. 256 Saving for Lord Warden.
  110. 257 Saving for universities.
  111. 258 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  112. 259 Saving for royal prerogative.
  113. 260
  114. FIRST SCHEDULE
  115. SECOND AND THIRD SCHEDULES
  116. FOURTH SCHEDULE
  117. FIFTH SCHEDULE Payments out of the Borough Fund.
  118. SIXTH SCHEDULE
  119. SEVENTH SCHEDULE
  120. EIGHTH SCHEDULE
  121. NINTH SCHEDULE Enactments in which a Reference to this Act is to be substituted

Proposed changes to this act

No one has proposed a change to this act yet.

121 provisions

224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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226 Provisions for protection of persons acting under Act.

(1) An action, prosecution, or proceeding against any person for any act done in pursuance or execution or intended execution of this Act, or in respect of any alleged neglect or default in the execution of this Act, shall not lie or be instituted unless it is commenced within six months next after the act or thing is done or omitted, or, in case of a continuance of injury or damage, within six months next after the ceasing thereof. (2) Where the action is for damages, tender of amends before the action was commenced may, in lieu of or in addition to any other plea, be pleaded. If the action was commenced after the tender, or is proceeded with after payment into court of any money in satisfaction of the plaintiff’s claim, and the plaintiff does not recover more than the sum tendered or paid, he shall not recover any costs incurred after the tender or payment, and the defendant shall be entitled to costs, to be taxed as between solicitor and client, as from the time of the tender or payment; but this provision shall not affect costs on any injunction in the action. (3) Subject and without prejudice to any other powers, the council, where the defendant in any such action, prosecution, or other proceeding is their officer, agent, or servant, may, if they think fit, except so far as the court before which the action, prosecution, or other proceeding is heard and determined otherwise directs, pay out of the borough fund or borough rate all or any part of any sums payable by the defendant in or in consequence of the action, prosecution, or proceeding, whether in respect of costs, charges, expenses, damages, fine or otherwise.

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228 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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230 Computation of time.

(1) Where by this Act any limited time from or after any date or event is appointed or allowed for the doing of any act or the taking of any proceeding, then in the computation of that limited time the same shall be taken as exclusive of the day of that date or of the happening of that event, and as commencing at the beginning of the next following day; and the act or proceeding shall be done or taken at the latest on the last day of the limited time as so computed, unless the last day is a Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday, or Monday or Tuesday in Easter week, or a day appointed for public fast, humiliation, or thanksgiving, in which case any act or proceeding shall be considered as done or taken in due time if it is done or taken on the next day afterwards, not being one of the days in this section specified. (2) Where by this Act any act or proceeding is directed or allowed to be done or taken on a certain day, then if that day happens to be one of the days in this section specified, the act or proceeding shall be considered as done or taken in due time if it is done or taken on the next day afterwards, not being one of the days in this section specified. (3) Where by this Act any act or proceeding is directed or allowed to be done or taken within any time not exceeding seven days, the days in this section specified shall not be reckoned in the computation of such time.

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231 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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232 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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234 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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235 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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236 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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238 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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239 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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241 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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242 Provision for references in unrepealed enactments to 5 & 6 Will. 4. c. 76, &c.

(1) In the several enactments described in Part I of the Ninth Schedule, a reference to this Act shall be deemed to be substituted for a reference to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1835, and any Act amending it. (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) Where any Act passed before this Act, and not specified in the First or in the Ninth Schedule, refers to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1835, or any Act amending it, or to boroughs or corporations subject to that Act or any Act amending it, the reference shall be deemed to be to this Act or to the corresponding provision of this Act, or to boroughs or corporations subject to this Act (as the case may require). (4) All enactments to which this section relates shall, except as in this section provided, continue to operate as if this Act had not been passed.

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243 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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244 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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245 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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246 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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247 Right of free trading in boroughs.

Notwithstanding any custom or byelaw, every person in any borough may keep any shop for the sale of all lawful wares and merchandises by wholesale or retail, and use every lawful trade, occupation, mystery, and handicraft for hire, gain, sale, or otherwise within any borough.

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248 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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249 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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250 Saving for existing corporations.

(1) Nothing in this Act shall prejudicially affect any charter granted before the commencement of this Act, or take away, abridge, or prejudicially affect any of the rights, powers, privileges, estates, property, duties, liabilities, or obligations vested in or imposed on any municipal corporation existing at the commencement of this Act, or in or on the mayor, or the council of a borough then existing, or any members or committee of the council, by the incorporation of the inhabitants of the borough, or by transfer from any other authority, or otherwise; but every such charter shall continue to operate, and every such corporation shall continue to have perpetual succession and a common seal, and to be capable in law by the council to do and suffer all acts which at the commencement of this Act they and their successors respectively may lawfully do or suffer, and the corporation and all members and officers thereof and their sureties, and every such mayor, and every such council and committee, and every such officer, shall continue to have, enjoy, and be subject to the like rights, powers, offices, privileges, estates, property, duties, liabilities, and obligations, as if this Act had not been passed, without prejudice, nevertheless, to the operation of the repeal of enactments by this Act, and to the other express provisions of this Act. (2)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4)(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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251 Saving for local Acts.

Nothing in this Act shall alter the effect of any local Act of Parliament.

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252 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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253 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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254 Saving for dockyards, barracks, &c.

Nothing in this Act shall affect the watching, paving, or lighting, or the internal regulations for the government, of any of Her Majesty’s dockyards, victualling establishments, arsenals, barracks, or other naval or military establishments, or make the tenements therein or the inhabitants thereof liable to any rate for watching, paving, or lighting.

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255 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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256 Saving for Lord Warden.

Nothing in this Act shall affect the jurisdiction and office of the Lord Warden in his office of Admiral of the Cinque Ports.

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257 Saving for universities.

Nothing in this Act shall— (1) Affect the rights, privileges, duties, or liabilities of the chancellor, masters, and scholars of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge respectively, as by law possessed under the respective charters of those universities or otherwise; or (2)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5) Authorize the levy of any rate within the precincts of those universities, or of any of the colleges or halls thereof, which now by law cannot be levied therein, or make either of those universities, or the members thereof, liable to any rate to which they are not liable to contribute at the commencement of this Act; or (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (7) Affect the rights or privileges granted by charter or Act of Parliament to the University of Durham.

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258 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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259 Saving for royal prerogative.

Nothing in this Act shall prejudicially affect Her Majesty’s royal prerogative; and the enabling provisions of this Act shall be deemed to be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the powers exerciseable by Her Majesty by virtue of her royal prerogative.

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260

(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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FIRST SCHEDULE

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SECOND AND THIRD SCHEDULES

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FOURTH SCHEDULE

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FIFTH SCHEDULE Payments out of the Borough Fund.

Part I Part II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The expenses of providing, furnishing, maintaining, or improving the corporate buildings, . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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SIXTH SCHEDULE

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SEVENTH SCHEDULE

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EIGHTH SCHEDULE

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