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Hereditary Titles (Female Succession) Bill

A Bill to make provision for the succession of female heirs to hereditary titles; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Sponsor

Dame Harriett BaldwinConservative

Last Updated

1 November 2023

In Plain English

AI-generated

This bill would change how hereditary titles are inherited, allowing daughters to inherit titles that are currently passed mainly to male heirs. It aims to make succession of hereditary peerages gender-neutral, where possible. It has been introduced in the House of Commons and is at the very early stage of consideration.

Key Points

Proposes to extend hereditary title succession to include female heirs on an equal basis with male heirs.
Introduced in the House of Commons by Dame Harriett Baldwin; currently at the 1st reading.
If enacted, could change the line of succession for existing and future peerages, affecting the families who hold or stand to hold titles.
Would require further stages in Parliament (2nd reading, committee, etc.) before it could become law.

Progress

The bill has been introduced and is at the 1st reading in the Commons. If it progresses, the next step would be the 2nd reading.

Who is affected?

Women who could inherit hereditary titles (daughters, sisters, and other potential female heirs).Families and individuals who currently hold or may hold hereditary titles (duchies, earldoms, viscountcies, baronies, etc.).Institutions tied to the peerage, including current and future peers and their families.

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Hereditary Titles (Female Succession) Bill

27 Mar 2023

The 2022-2023 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.

Documents (1)

Bill 49 2022-23 (as introduced)

BillCommons

18 Jan 2023

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

Hereditary Titles (Female Succession) Bill | TrackPolitics