Legal Definitions - Black Acts

The term Black Acts refers to a specific collection of laws passed by the Scottish Parliament during a particular historical period, spanning from 1535 to 1594. These statutes are uniquely identified because they were officially recorded and published in a book using a distinctive, ornate gothic typeface known as "black letter" script. Essentially, they represent the legislative output of Scotland's governing body during a significant era of its history.

Here are a few examples to illustrate the concept of Black Acts:

• Imagine the Scottish Parliament, in the year 1560, formally passing an act that abolished the authority of the Pope in Scotland and established Presbyterianism as the national religion. This significant piece of legislation would be categorized as a Black Act because it originated from the Scottish Parliament and falls squarely within the 1535-1594 timeframe. Its official recording in the characteristic "black letter" script would further confirm its classification.

• Consider a statute enacted in 1587 by the Scottish Parliament aimed at curbing widespread cattle rustling and clan feuds in the Scottish Borders. This law might have imposed stricter penalties for such crimes and outlined new procedures for local sheriffs to follow. Because this legislation was passed by the Scottish Parliament within the designated 1535-1594 period, it would be considered a Black Act.

• Suppose the Scottish Parliament, in 1579, passed an act regulating the export of wool or setting specific quality standards for Scottish textiles, with the aim of boosting the national economy. This particular piece of legislation, created by the Scottish Parliament between 1535 and 1594, would also be classified as a Black Act due to its origin and the specific historical period of its enactment.