The Statute of Westminster 1931 was a key piece of legislation passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It granted full legislative independence to the dominions of the British Empire, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. This statute allowed these countries to make their own laws without needing approval from the British Parliament, marking a significant step towards self-governance. The statute also clarified that no British law would apply to the dominions unless they chose to adopt it. This change reflected the growing desire for autonomy among the dominions and laid the groundwork for the eventual development of the Commonwealth of Nations.