The Infants’ Custody Act 1874 also known by its full title ‘An Act to amend the Law as to the Custody of Infants'(Act no. 38 Vict. No.8) legislated that mothers have custody rights over their own children who are under the age of 16. In addition the legislation specified that any prior custody agreements between a father and mother were only to be enforced if they were of benefit to the child. This legislation was repealed by Guardianship and Custody of Infants Act 1934 (Act no. 25 Geo. V No.29) on 27 November 1934.