A Bill to make provision in relation to the presumed deaths of missing persons; and for connected purposes.
This Bill would enable the High Court to make a ‘declaration of presumed death’ where a missing person is thought to have died, or has not been known to be alive for at least seven years. A Register of Presumed Deaths would be maintained by the Registrar General. Any person would be able to apply to the High Court for the making of a declaration. However, where the application was made by someone who is not a spouse, civil partner, or close relative of the missing person, the High Court would hear the application only if the applicant had a ‘sufficient interest’ in the making of the declaration.
House of Commons
25 June 2009
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
This Bill would let the High Court declare a missing person to be presumed dead after seven years without contact. It would create a national Register of Presumed Deaths run by the Registrar General, and anyone could apply, although non-relatives would need to show a sufficient interest to proceed.
The bill is at its second reading in the House of Commons, having originated in the Commons in 2009. It has not yet moved beyond the second reading in the stages listed.
Generated 21 February 2026
21 Jan 2009
The Bill was dropped by its sponsor and will not progress further this Session.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
