Conscription - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition conscription

Definition :

Conscription. Compulsory enrolment of men (usually infixed numbers and of fixed ages) for military service, practised by the Romans and from early times in France and other European countries. A species of conscription long existed under the Militia Acts, now suspended by the temporary Militia Ballot Suspension Act, 1865. See MILITIA. During the Great War compulsory military service was imposed: the first Act was the (English) Military Service Act, 1916; for subsequent war legislation extending compulsory military service, see Chitty's Statutes, tit. 'Army.'