The Ecclesiastical Courts Act 1855
THEREAS the Jurisdiction of the Ecclesiastical Courts in Suits for Defamation has ceased to be the Means of enforcing the Spiritual Discipline of the Church, and has become grievous and oppressive to the Subjects of this Realm: Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, as follows: