Lords

4.4Members ‘are to attend the sittings of the House’ or, if they cannot do so because of temporary circumstances, obtain leave of absence. A Member who has no reasonable expectation of returning as an active Member at some point in the future should retire under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. The House will not grant leave of absence to a Member whose application does not state that they have a reasonable expectation that they will return as an active Member. The procedure for leave of absence in the House of Lords is set out in Standing Order No 21.1

Before the beginning of every Parliament, the Clerk of the Parliaments in writing asks each Member who had leave of absence at the end of the previous Parliament whether they wish to apply for leave of absence for the new Parliament. The Clerk of the Parliaments draws the attention of such Members to s 2 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. The House grants leave to those Members who so apply, subject to the restrictions above. At any time during a Parliament, a Member may obtain leave of absence for the rest of the Parliament by applying in writing to the Clerk of the Parliaments.

Members who have leave of absence are expected not to attend sittings of the House except for the purpose of taking the Oath of Allegiance.

If a Member who has been granted leave of absence wishes to attend during the period for which leave has been granted, they are expected to give written notice. The leave is terminated one month from the date of this notice, or sooner if the House so directs.

It is customary for the Lord Speaker to apply for leave when they are obliged to be absent from the House.

The procedures by which House of Lords Members may retire, or be expelled, from the House under the provisions of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014 and the House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015 are described in para 1.14.