Oath in the Lords

8.24A new Parliament is summoned to meet a few days before the Queen's Speech. During this period, the House of Lords usually sits for two or three ‘swearing in’ days. Only business which does not require the House to take a decision on a motion may be taken on these days. The principal business is proceedings relating to the election of a Speaker of the House of Commons and administering the oath of allegiance to Members of the House.

On the first meeting of the House after State Opening, oaths are taken at the end of business. On subsequent sitting days, Members of the House of Lords can take the oath after the daily prayers are read.1

Oath taking begins with the Lord Speaker, who is followed by the archbishops, the party leaders and the occupants of the front benches (including those used by Privy Counsellors nearest the Bar). Precedence is then given to Members with disability or impaired mobility.