It implemented several widespread reforms of the English criminal justice system, mainly abolishing penal servitude, corporal punishment, and the right of peers to be tried for treason and felony in the House of Lords.

From at least the 17th century, the Kingdom of England and its successor states maintained the penalty of transportation to English colonies for felons.

Non-felon settlers in Australia began to resent the transportation of felons to their lands, however, so the practice was abolished in 1852.

Whereas a commoner could challenge certain individuals from being empanelled in his or her jury, peers had no such right since all lords were involved in the deliberations and verdict[c] of the court.

In a display of the farcical nature of such trials, the only deliberation of the House was to ask the attorney his opinion on the case before unanimously voting to acquit de Clifford based on his answer.

In 1936, the former Lord Chancellor Viscount Sankey proposed, and the House voted, to abolish the privilege, but the government did not give time for the motion to be considered by the Commons before the session ended.

[3] Other substantive provisions still in force are: Except for the parts abolishing the privilege of peerage, the act applied only to England and Wales.