Standing orders

Order ID:332

UK Parliament — House of Lords

Known as:

Hereditary peers: by-elections [26 July 1999]

Order numbers:

9

Cite as

Current version

Date	Title				Text
2025 — 23rd October	9 Hereditary peers: by-elections [26 July 1999]	In implementation of section 2 of the House of Lords Act 1999, this Standing Order makes provision for hereditary peers who are excepted from section 1 of that Act.
		The excepted hereditary peers shall consist of the following categories:
		(i)	(a)	Two peers elected by the Labour hereditary peers;
			(b)	42 peers elected by the Conservative hereditary peers;
			(c)	Three peers elected by the Liberal Democrat hereditary peers;
			(d)	28 peers elected by the Crossbench hereditary peers;
		(ii)	15 peers, elected by the whole House, from among those ready to serve as Deputy Speakers or in any other office as the House may require; and
		(iii)	any peer holding the office of Earl Marshal or performing the office of Lord Great Chamberlain.
		Vacancies among excepted hereditary peers occurring by death, or resignation or expulsion from the House under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014 or expulsion under the House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015, shall be filled through by-election.
		The Clerk of the Parliaments shall maintain, and publish annually, a register of hereditary peers (other than peers of Ireland) who wish to stand in any by-election.
		By-elections shall be conducted in accordance with arrangements made by the Clerk of the Parliaments and shall take place within three months of a vacancy occurring.
		In the event of the death or resignation or expulsion of a hereditary peer excepted under paragraph (2)(i), only the excepted hereditary peers in the group in which the vacancy has occurred shall be entitled to vote.
		In the event of the death or resignation or expulsion of a hereditary peer excepted under paragraph (2)(ii), the whole House shall be entitled to vote.
		A peer may not vote in any by-election if they have not taken the oath or are on leave of absence.
		In the event of a tie between two or more candidates standing in any by-election, the matter (if not resolved by the electoral arrangements adopted by the House) shall be decided by the drawing of lots.
		The Clerk of the Parliaments may refer any question concerning the propriety of the electoral process to the Committee for Procedure and Privileges.

First appearance

2025 — 23rd October	9 Hereditary peers: by-elections [26 July 1999]	In implementation of section 2 of the House of Lords Act 1999, this Standing Order makes provision for hereditary peers who are excepted from section 1 of that Act.
		The excepted hereditary peers shall consist of the following categories:
		(i)	(a)	Two peers elected by the Labour hereditary peers;
			(b)	42 peers elected by the Conservative hereditary peers;
			(c)	Three peers elected by the Liberal Democrat hereditary peers;
			(d)	28 peers elected by the Crossbench hereditary peers;
		(ii)	15 peers, elected by the whole House, from among those ready to serve as Deputy Speakers or in any other office as the House may require; and
		(iii)	any peer holding the office of Earl Marshal or performing the office of Lord Great Chamberlain.
		Vacancies among excepted hereditary peers occurring by death, or resignation or expulsion from the House under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014 or expulsion under the House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015, shall be filled through by-election.
		The Clerk of the Parliaments shall maintain, and publish annually, a register of hereditary peers (other than peers of Ireland) who wish to stand in any by-election.
		By-elections shall be conducted in accordance with arrangements made by the Clerk of the Parliaments and shall take place within three months of a vacancy occurring.
		In the event of the death or resignation or expulsion of a hereditary peer excepted under paragraph (2)(i), only the excepted hereditary peers in the group in which the vacancy has occurred shall be entitled to vote.
		In the event of the death or resignation or expulsion of a hereditary peer excepted under paragraph (2)(ii), the whole House shall be entitled to vote.
		A peer may not vote in any by-election if they have not taken the oath or are on leave of absence.
		In the event of a tie between two or more candidates standing in any by-election, the matter (if not resolved by the electoral arrangements adopted by the House) shall be decided by the drawing of lots.
		The Clerk of the Parliaments may refer any question concerning the propriety of the electoral process to the Committee for Procedure and Privileges.