1853 Charter Act

1

The Act renewed the powers of the Company and allowed it to retain processions over Indian territories in trust for Her Majesty, her heirs and successors.

The number of Court of Directors was reduced to 18, of whom six were to be appointed by the Crown from among the Indian servants.

The Act also empowered Court of directors to create a new Presidency and alter the boundaries of the Presidencies in India.

The Act created a separate Legislative Council for India for the first time.

The law member of the Governor Council was given the rank of a full-fledged member in the Council. 2

The Charter Act of 1853 increased the number of legislative council members.

The new legislative Council was consisted of 12 members.

1. Governor General (1)2. Governor General Council (4)3. Commander-in-Chief (1)4. Four representatives from providences (4)5. Chief Justice of Supreme Court Justice (1) 6. A regular judge from Supreme Court to be

named by Governor General. (1)Governor General presided over the all meetings.

The Act empowered the Governor General to reject any laws passed by the Council.

But, had no power to pass to legislation which was dissented by the majority of the Council.

The procedure of the Legislative Council was

modeled more or less on the line of the British Parliament.

The Act authorized the Crown to appoint a Law Commission in England to examine the work and recommendations of First Law Commission. 4

A separate Governor appointed for Presidency of Bengal.