THE REGULATING ACT

1773
MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ACT:
TO BRING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
UNDER THE DIRECT CONTROL OF BRITISH
PARLIAMENT AND THE BRITISH CROWN
TO INTRODUCE REFORMS IN THE COMPANY’S
CONSTITUTION AT HOME, i.e., IN LONDON
TO BRING ABOUT REFORMATION IN THE
COMPANY’S GOVERNMENT IN INDIA.
TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE REMEDIES AGAINST
ATROCITIES AND OPPRESSIONS COMMITTED BY
THE COMPANY’S SERVANTS IN INDIA.
PROVISIONS
1.CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
COMPANY
 APPOINTMENT AND RETIREMENT OF THE
DIRECTORS.
 VOTING POWER RESTRICTED TO THOSE SHARE
HOLDERS WHO HAD A STOCK OF 1000 POUNDS.
 TENURE OF DIRECTORS 4YEARS
2. REORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY’S
GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL
GOVERNOR GENERAL AND 4 COUNCILLORS.
VACANCY IN THE COUNCIL WAS TO BE FILLED BY
THE COMPANY WITH CONSENT OF BRITISH
CROWN.
PRESIDENCY OF BOMBAY AND MADRAS
SUBORDINATE TO GOV- GEN AND COUNCIL AT
CALCUTTA.
3. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY
THE REGULATING ACT AUTHORIZED THE GOV-
GEN AND COUNCIL TO MAKE RULES AND
REGULATIONS AND ISSUE ORDINANCES FOR THE
GOOD GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDECY OF FORT
WILLIAM AND SUBORDINATE FACTORIES.
THEY WERE TO BE EFFECTIVE ONLY AFTER BEING
REGISTERED WITH SUPREME COURT
4. PROHIBITION AGAINST PRIVATE TRADE
GOV- GEN, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, JUDGES OF
SUPREME COURT WERE PROHIBITED FROM
ACCEPTING PRESENTS.

NO PERSON HOLDING ANY CIVIL OR MILITARY

OFFICE COULD DO PRIVATE TRADE.

PRIVY COUCIL CAN PUNISH MISDEMEANORS

COMMITTED BY IMPORTANT OFFICIALS.
5. ESTABLISHMENT OF SUPREME
COURT OF JUDICATURE AT CALCUTTA
WITH THIS ENACTMENT UNDER REGULATING
ACT, THE PROVISIONS OF THE EARLIER CHARTER
OF 1753 WERE SUPERSEDED.

CROWN GAVE DIRECTIONS TO ESTABLISH

SUPREME COURT AT FORT WILLIAM.

COURT OF REQUEST WAS CONTINUED.

ACT OF 1774
SUPREME COURT
OF JUDICATURE AT
CALCUTTA
REGULATING ACT EMPOWERED THE CROWN TO
ESTABLISH SUPREME COURT BY ISSUING AN ACT.
1774 ACT WAS PASSED.
IT SUPERSEDED THE PROVISIONS OF CHARTER
OF 1753.
ABOLISHED MAYOR’S COURT
COMPOSITION
SUPREME COURT WAS TO CONSIST OF CHIEF
JUSTICE AND THREE JUDGES.

BARRISTERS OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE YEARS

STANDING.
FUNCTIONS
COURT OF RECORD
COURT OF EQUITY
COULD REGULATE ITS OWN PROCEDURE AND
MAKE RULES FOR THIS PURPOSE.
RULES TO BE APPROVED BY PRIVY COUNCIL.
JURISDICTION
CIVIL JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION
ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION
EQUITY JURISDICTION
WRIT JURISDICTION
PROVISION FOR APPEALS
MERITS OF REGULATING ACT 1773
Changes in the constitution of the company
Established strong central government
The control of British parliament over the company
tightened.
The act conferred legislative powers to supreme
council at calcutta.
The judges of supreme court were professional
lawyers.
Prohibition in accepting gifts.
DEMERITS OF REGULATING ACT 1773
No veto power to gov-gen.