Slavery was abolished throughout much of the British Empire by the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 .
As early as 1706 the common law had recognised that as soon as a slave came to England , he became free .
Slavery was abolished throughout much of the British Empire by the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 but as early as 1706 the common law had recognised that as soon as a slave came to England , he became free .