Parliament (No. 2) Act 2009

2, 3 & 4 Max. c. 11

An Act to limit the duration of Parliament; to regulate the issue of writs of election and writs of summons; and for related purposes.

[28 May 2009]

Whereas it is desired that the frequent meeting of the Parliament be assured, and that the election of Members of Parliament occur at reasonable and proper intervals, and that provision be made for the holding of elections and the meeting of the Parliament, should the Sovereign fail to issue the proper writs:

Be it therefore enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1. The Parliament shall not be prorogued or dissolved within thirty days of the day appointed for its meeting, unless both Houses shall assent thereto, and any writ, proclamation or other instrument or action by the Sovereign purporting to prorogue or dissolve the Parliament in contravention of this section shall be null and void.

2. Whenever the Sovereign shall not have dissolved the Parliament within three years of the day appointed for its meeting, it shall be then dissolved, without any writ, proclamation or other instrument or action by the Sovereign.

3. Not less than seven days prior to the day appointed for the meeting of Parliament, the Sovereign shall issue writs of summons to the Lords and Members of Parliament.

4. The Sovereign shall promptly issue a writ of summons to any person who becomes a Lord or Member of Parliament during the existence of a Parliament.

5. Whenever the Sovereign shall fail to issue writs of election or writs of summons in accordance with the provisions of this or any other Act, the Lord High Chancellor shall issue the same in the Sovereign’s name and under the Great Seal of the Realm, without any further warrant or direction from the Sovereign.

6. This Act may be cited as the Parliament (No. 2) Act 2009.