Succession to Hereditary Peerages and Estates Bill

A Bill to remove male-preference primogeniture in succession to hereditary peerages and estates.

Originating House

House of Commons

Parliament last updated

26 April 2013

In Plain English

AI-generated

May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.

This Bill would change how hereditary titles (peerages) and family estates are inherited by ending the traditional preference for sons over daughters. It would move toward equal primogeniture, allowing daughters to inherit in birth order when there are no sons, for future successions.

Key Points

Ends male-preference primogeniture for hereditary peerages and estates.
Introduces equal primogeniture so daughters can inherit in birth order if there are no sons.
Applies to future successions to hereditary titles and estates (not retroactive beyond those future cases).

Who is affected?

Daughters and other potential female heirs to hereditary peerages and estatesFamilies who hold or could hold hereditary titles and estates (including current title holders and their relatives)Aristocratic families and the institutions connected to the peerage system

Generated 21 February 2026

Bill Stages

1st readingCommons

25 Mar 2013

2nd readingCommons

Committee stageCommons

Report stageCommons

3rd readingCommons

1st readingLords

2nd readingLords

Committee stageLords

Report stageLords

3rd readingLords

Royal Assent

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Succession to Hereditary Peerages and Estates

1 Jan 1970

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress.

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.