Overview

This bill modernizes the rules of succession for hereditary peerages in the UK, ensuring equal inheritance rights for both men and women. It establishes a "universal rule of succession" based on primogeniture with equal treatment of male and female heirs, although males still take precedence within sibling groups.

Description

The Succession to Peerages Bill aims to remove gender discrimination from the inheritance of hereditary peerages. Key aspects include:

• Universal Rule of Succession: This establishes a system where, after the death of a peer, the peerage will pass to the heir as defined by the original peerage grant or existing law, but modified to ensure daughters and their descendants are treated equally to sons and their descendants. Males still retain precedence within the same generation (sibling group).
• Extinct Peerages: The bill retroactively applies the new rule to peerages that became extinct on or after 6 February 1952. For peerages extinct before this date, individuals meeting specific criteria may petition the monarch to apply the rule retrospectively; this petition opportunity expires one year after the Act's commencement.
• Peerages in Abeyance: The bill alters succession for peerages currently in abeyance (suspended due to lack of a clear heir) to follow the new universal rule.
• Exceptions: The bill explicitly excludes the succession to the Crown, and does not affect existing successions or inheritance of other property.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant direct impact on government spending. The primary cost would relate to the administrative processing of any petitions concerning extinct peerages.

Groups Affected

• Women and their descendants: These groups will now have equal rights to inherit hereditary peerages, significantly altering the dynamics of inheritance in aristocratic families.
• Men and their descendants: While retaining precedence within their sibling groups, they will now have their precedence determined solely based on birth order amongst siblings of the same sex.
• Holders of hereditary peerages: The bill impacts their family's future succession plans.
• Individuals with claims to extinct peerages: Those meeting the criteria outlined in the bill may be able to petition for the restoration of their claim.

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