Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (2015 c. 18)

1 Vacancies among the Lords Spiritual

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a vacancy arises among the Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords before 18 May 2030,

[F1] Words in s. 1(1)(a) substituted (16.1.2025) by Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Act 2025 (c. 1), ss. 1, 2(2)

(b) at the time the vacancy arises there is at least one eligible bishop who is a woman, and

(2) If at the time the vacancy arises there is only one eligible bishop who is a woman, the vacancy is to be filled by the issue of writs of summons to her.

(3) If at the time the vacancy arises there are two or more eligible bishops who are women, the vacancy is to be filled by the issue of writs of summons to the one whose election as a bishop of a diocese in England was confirmed first.

(4) In this section “eligible bishop” means a bishop of a diocese in England who is not yet entitled in that capacity to the issue of writs of summons.

(5) The reference in subsection (1) to a vacancy does not include a vacancy arising by the avoidance of the see of Canterbury, York, London, Durham or Winchester.

2 Commencement, extent and short title

(1) This Act comes into force on the day Parliament first meets following the first parliamentary general election after this Act is passed.

(2) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(3) This Act may be cited as the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015.