The Act stipulates penalties for simony (the act of selling church offices and roles or sacred things), an offence under the ecclesiastical law of the Church of England.

As of 2008[update], it remains largely in force in England and Wales.

This Act was partly in force in Great Britain at the end of 2010.

[3] Under section 4, an unlawfully bestowed office can be declared void by the Crown, and the offender can be disabled from making future appointments and fined up to £1,000.

[6] Penalty by reference to the value of an ecclesiastical living was abolished by Statute Law (Repeals) Measure 2018.