The Standing Orders of the House of Lords         House of Lords

 
 
Privilege
Freedom from arrest.
18 April 1626.
    83. The privilege of the House is that, when Parliament is sitting, or within the usual times of privilege of Parliament, no Lord of Parliament is to be imprisoned or restrained without sentence or order of the House, unless upon a criminal charge or for refusing to give security for the peace. Notification of any order whatsoever for the imprisonment or restraint of a Lord of Parliament should be given to the House by the Court or authority ordering such restraint or imprisonment.
 
Minor Peers, etc., have no privilege.
21 February 1693.
    84. Privilege of Parliament shall not be allowed to minor Peers, Noblewomen, or widows of Peers; and if the widow of any Peer shall be married to a commoner, she shall not be allowed privilege of Peerage.
 
Concerning examining witnesses in perpetuam rei memoriam.
3 July 1678.
    85. In all cases wherein it is necessary to examine witnesses in perpetuam rei memoriam, it shall not be taken to be a breach of privilege of Parliament to file a Bill against a Peer in time of Parliament, and take out usual process for that purpose only.
 
No oath to take away the privilege of Peerage.
30 April 1675.
    86. No oath shall be imposed by any Bill or otherwise upon Peers with a penalty in case of refusal to lose their places and votes in Parliament or liberty of debate therein.
 
 
previous section contents continue
 
House of Lords home page Houses of Parliament home page House of Commons home page search page enquiries

© Parliamentary copyright 2002
Prepared 13 November 2002