HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

The petition must be signed by one or more of the parties principally
concerned in the consequences of the bill, and may be deposited at any
time during the session. 1 The petition and draft bill which must
accompany it are considered by the Chairman of Committees and the
Chairman of Ways and Means, who may certify that the proposed bill is
of such a nature and that private business SOs 4–68 should not be
applicable to it. Bills so certified are termed personal bills and are subject
to private business SOs 151–153, 157–170 and 173–174. These bills are
now rare, partly in consequence of the passing of the Marriage
(Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Act 1986, which relaxed the
prohibitions on many previously prohibited relationships for which
parliamentary approval was sought.
9.58 Every petition for a personal bill is referred to the Chairman of
Committees for preliminary scrutiny, aided by Counsel. The procedure
for first reading is the same as for other private bills. The Chairman of
Committees may require the appointment by the Lord Chancellor of a
guardian to represent the interests of any infant who should be
protected. 2 In the case of personal bills affecting entailed estates and wills,
private business SOs 162–165 and 168–172 govern the giving of notices,
appointment of new trustees, consents and other matters.
Proceedings after first reading for personal bills
9.59 Between first and second reading, copies of the bill as introduced
are delivered to all persons affected by the bill by the promoter. The
second reading is normally moved by the Chairman of Committees who
also fixes a date by which petitions against the bill must be presented. 3
9.60 If the bill is unopposed, it is committed to an unopposed bill
committee. 4 At this stage the persons concerned in the bill give their
consent by attending and signing a copy of the bill. In certain cases, such
as absence abroad, illness or old age, the Chairman of Committees may
admit affidavits in proof of signatures in lieu of attendance.
1 PBSO 153.
2 PBSO 167.
3 PBSOs 157–158.
4 PBSO 160.
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