Overview

This bill aims to modernize the rules of succession for hereditary peerages in the UK, ensuring that daughters inherit titles equally with sons. It removes gender-based discrimination in the inheritance of hereditary titles, applying to births after the bill's enactment, with an exception for existing successions already determined.

Description

The Hereditary Titles (Female Succession) Bill makes key changes to how hereditary peerages are inherited. The core change is enshrined in Clause 1: the sex of a person born after the bill's commencement will not affect their right to inherit a hereditary peerage. This ensures daughters inherit equally with sons.

Exceptions:

Clause 1(2) provides an exception: If a son is already in line to inherit at the bill's enactment, the current succession rules apply to that specific inheritance.

Clause 2 clarifies that the bill does not override existing legal documents like wills or trusts that specify inheritance rules.

Clause 3 defines "hereditary peerage" using the criteria specified in the House of Lords Act 1999.

Clause 4 clarifies that the bill does not affect the succession to the Crown, titles held by the King, the Duchy of Cornwall, the Dukedom of Rothesay, or previously determined successions.

Clause 5 determines that the Act will apply to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and sets out its commencement date, to be determined by the Lord Chancellor, and its short title.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly impact government spending. The changes are primarily legal and administrative, with minimal financial implications.

Groups Affected

• Female heirs to hereditary peerages: This bill directly benefits them by granting equal inheritance rights.
• Families with hereditary peerages: These families will need to adapt to the new succession rules for children born after the bill's enactment.
• Lawyers and legal professionals: They will need to be aware of and apply the changes brought about by the bill.
• The House of Lords: The composition of the House of Lords might be indirectly affected in the long term, although the bill doesn't directly change its structure.

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