Until it was amended in 1963 and again in 1980, the legislation governed the International Headquarters of The Salvation Army.

The act limited and regulated the authority of the general of The Salvation Army, who serves as the organisation's chief executive officer (CEO), and removed his ability to act as the sole owner of Salvation Army trusts.

The first High Council convened to remove Bramwell Booth from office; the measure passed 52 to 5.

[5] Largely because of Bramwell Booth's refusal to resign, the Salvation Army Act 1931, passed by the parliament of the United Kingdom, removed the general's ability to choose his successor.

The original purpose of the legislation was, according to Parliament, to "provide for the better organization of The Salvation Army and for the custody of real and personal property held upon charitable trusts by or the administration whereof devolves upon the General of the Salvation Army and for other purposes.