The Jews Relief Act 1858 (21 & 22 Vict. c. 49), also called the Jewish Disabilities Act, is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which removed previous barriers to Jews entering Parliament, a step in Jewish emancipation in the United Kingdom."Jews Relief Act 1858", as originally enacted

Following the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 (10 Geo. 4. c. 7) there had been an unsuccessful attempt in 1830 to also allow Jews to sit in Parliament."BILL FOR REMOVAL OF JEWISH DISABILITIES. ", HC Deb 17 May 1830 vol 24 cc784-814 The 1858 measure was the result of a long process which began with a bill introduced by the Whig leader Lord John Russell following the election of Lionel de Rothschild to the City of London constituency in 1847. Rothschild could not take the seat without taking the Christian oath of office. The bill was supported by the future Conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli but not by his party.

In 1848, the bill was approved by the House of Commons but was twice rejected by the House of Lords as was a new bill in 1851. In the 1852 general election, Rothschild was again elected but the next year the bill was again defeated in the upper house. Finally, in 1858, the House of Lords agreed to a proposal to allow each house to decide its own oath.

The bill allowed "any Person professing the Jewish Religion, [to] omit the Words 'and I make this Declaration upon the true Faith of a Christian in their oaths, but explicitly did not extend to allowing Jews to certain high offices, and also stated that "it shall not be lawful for any Person professing the Jewish Religion, directly or indirectly, to advise Her Majesty ... touching or concerning ... any office or preferment in the Church of England or in the Church of Scotland." The Oaths Act 1858 (21 & 22 Vict. c. 48) was passed simultaneously, effecting similar reforms for the public oaths required other than for Parliament.

Subsequent developments Amendments in 1871, 1922, 1973, 1980 and 1986 removed all restrictions on Jews holding office except that they may not advise certain government officials on matters related to appointments in the Church of England or the Church of Scotland.Jews Relief Act 1858, as amended, accessed Sept 20, 2014.

Sections 1–3 of the act were repealed by section 1 of, and part II of schedule one to, the Promissory Oaths Act 1871 (34 & 35 Vict. c. 48), which came into force on 13 July 1871.

In September 2026 Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to allow Catholics and Jews to advise the Sovereign on appointments to the Church of England and Church of Scotland, claiming it is "unacceptable for there to be a legislative bar against people of any faith performing all the functions of my office". He confirmed that responsibility for Church appointments has been delegated to the Lord Chancellor.

See also Disabilities (Jewish) Emancipation of the Jews in the United Kingdom Oaths Act 1888, allowing those of no religious belief to simply "solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare"

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Bibliography Hansard vol 151 (1858) Lords: 14 Jun: Observations; 1 Jul: 2nd Reading; 5 Jul: Committee, Report; 8 Jul: Recommittal; 12 Jul: 3rd Reading; Commons: 16 Jul: 2nd Reading; 19 Jul: Committee, Report; 20 Jul: 3rd Reading; Lords: 21 Jul: Agreement.

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