The act was passed as result of an incident in 1708 when the Russian Ambassador, Andrey Matveyev, was arrested and imprisoned by London bailiffs acting on behalf of his creditors.

Matveyev was freed on bail, then left the country without presenting his letters of recall.

To appease Peter the Great, the act was passed, putting diplomatic immunity in Britain on a statutory basis for the first time.

The act provided for the nullity of all civil proceedings against ambassadors and their servants.

It also provides that all those who institute such proceedings or attempt to enforce them shall "be deemed violators of the laws of nations" and be punished accordingly.