It abolished the temporal authority of the Bishop of Durham within the County Palatine of Durham, placing the county under lay administration.

Previously, since 1075, the so-called prince-bishops had substantial powers as earls "with the right to raise an army, mint his own coins, and levy taxes".

[3][4] It also disbanded the Court of the County of Durham, appointing the High Sheriff as judge of a regular county court.

[6] In a report dated 28 October 1975, the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission said that the unrepealed residue of this act was spent because of the abolition of the Court of Chancery of the County Palatine of Durham and Sadberge.

The repeal was consequential on the abolition of the Court of Chancery of the County Palatine of Durham and Sadberge by section 41 of that act.