Chiltern Hundreds
A Dictionary of Law · Henry Campbell Black · 1891
A Dictionary of Law
In English law
The stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds is a nominal office in the gift of the crown, usually accepted by members of the house of commons desirous of vacating their seats. By lawa member once duly elected to parliament is compelled to discharge the duties of the trust conferred upon him, and is not enabled at will to resign it. But by statute, if any member accepts any ottice of profit from the crown, (except officers in the army or havy accepting a new commission,) his seat is vacated. If, therefore, any member wishes to retire from tle representation of Lhe county or borough by which he was sont to pariiament, he applies to the lords of the treasury for the stewardship of one of the Chiltern Hundreds, which having received, and there by accomplished his purpose, he again resigns the office.
Brown.