Hypnotism Act 1952
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long titleAn Act to regulate the demonstration of hypnotic phenomena for purposes of public entertainment.
Citation15 & 16 Geo. 6 & 1 Eliz. 2. c. 46
Territorial extent 
  • England and Wales
  • Scotland
Dates
Royal assent1 August 1952
Commencement1 April 1953
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Hypnotism Act 1952 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Hypnotism Act 1952 (15 & 16 Geo. 6 & 1 Eliz. 2. c. 46) is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom.[1]

The act regulates the demonstration of hypnotic phenomena for the purposes of public entertainment.

Provisions

The act has three primary parts – provisions applying to England and Wales, to Scotland, and to Great Britain as a whole.

England and Wales

In England and Wales, the act disallows the performance of hypnosis in a public place, unless given permission by the local authority, or they may be liable to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, currently £1000.

Scotland

In Scotland, the act gives the authority to any local authority to provide licences to theatres to allow the performance of hypnosis at that location.

UK (excluding Northern Ireland)

In the UK (excluding NI), the act prohibits hypnosis being knowingly performed on those under 18 (originally 21) or be subject to a level 3 fine. The act also allows for any police officer to enter a location where "entertainment is held" if the officer has cause to believe this act is being contravened.

The act continues to allow for hypnosis to be used without a license if it is being used for research purposes (e.g. for the treatment of a mental or physical disease).

References

  1. ↑ "Hypnotism Act 1952". Legislation.gov.uk. 3 May 1952. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
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