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House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL]

A Bill to amend the House of Lords Act 1999 so as to abolish the system of by-elections for hereditary Peers.

Originating House

House of Lords

Last Updated

10 September 2019

In Plain English

AI-generated

This Bill would change the House of Lords Act 1999 to end the system of by-elections used to fill seats held by hereditary peers. If enacted, when a hereditary peer's seat becomes vacant there would be no by-election to replace them, so the number of hereditary peers in the Lords could fall over time.

Key Points

Abolishes the by-election system for filling vacancies among hereditary peers in the Lords.
Vacancies would not be filled, leading to a gradual reduction in the number of hereditary peers.
The change preserves the existence of hereditary peerages but removes the mechanism to occupy their seats.
The Bill is currently at Report Stage in the Lords (originating in the Lords).
If enacted, the Bill would need to pass both Houses of Parliament and receive Royal Assent before becoming law.

Progress

Currently at Report Stage in the Lords. If it clears this stage, it would move to the House of Commons for consideration and further stages before becoming law.

Who is affected?

Hereditary peers currently sitting in the Lords (the 92 elected by peers)People who would have stood in by-elections to fill vacanciesThe House of Lords as an institution and its procedures

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections)

1 Jan 1970

Line by line examination of the Bill took place during the first day of report stage on 15 March. Amendments discussed covered clauses 1 and 2 of the Bill.

The 2017-2019 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.