Legal Definitions - Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act is a federal law that was first passed in 1940. Its purpose is to protect the civil rights of people who are serving in the military. This law does this by:

• Modifying their civil liability
• Placing limits on interest rates charged against their obligations
• Prescribing specific procedures for claims made against them

For example, if a soldier is deployed overseas and is unable to pay their rent, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act may protect them from being evicted. This law also limits the amount of interest that can be charged on loans taken out by military personnel.

The purpose of this law is to ensure that people who are serving in the military are not unfairly penalized for their service. It recognizes that military service can make it difficult for people to fulfill their obligations and protects them from legal action while they are serving their country.