Section 1 — Vacancies among the Lords Spiritual
This version in force from 2025-01-16
Snapshot: 2026-08-24
Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .
(1) This section applies where—
(a) a vacancy arises among the Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords [F1 before 18 May 2030],
(b) at the time the vacancy arises there is at least one eligible bishop who is a woman, and
(c) the person who would otherwise be entitled to fill the vacancy under section 5 of the Bishoprics Act 1878 is a man.
(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.
Amendment notes
- 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)