A Bill to provide for the High Court of England and Wales to make a preliminary finding on cases of alleged genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes; and for the subsequent referral of such findings to the International Criminal Court or a special tribunal
House of Lords
5 May 2021
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Genocide Determination Bill would allow the High Court of England and Wales to make a preliminary finding about alleged genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. If such a finding is made, it could be referred to the International Criminal Court or to a specially created tribunal for further action. The aim is to help international accountability by giving a UK court a formal role in the early assessment of these cases.
The bill is at the Lords' 2nd reading stage and has not yet progressed to the Commons. It originated in the Lords, with the first reading in 2020.
Generated 21 February 2026
5 Feb 2020
First reading took place on 5 February. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.
The 2019-2021 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
