Q&As

What is prorogation of Parliament?

read titleRead full title
Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
Published by a LexisNexis Public Law expert
Published on: 02 September 2019
imgtext

What is prorogation of Parliament?

Prorogation is an act which marks the end of a parliamentary session without the dissolution of Parliament. It occurs between sessions, to break a parliamentary deadlock, or before Parliament is formally dissolved prior to a general election. Prorogation differs from adjournment, during which Parliament does not sit for a period of time, but parliamentary business can still continue as before.

Prorogation is a prerogative act. The Crown, by virtue of section 1 of the Prorogation Act 1867, exercises the power to prorogue Parliament on the advice of the Privy Council, however, whether the Crown must follow this advice is contested. In some Commonwealth jurisdictions, prorogation has been challenged, even refused, by the heads of state, eg in Victoria, Australia in 1867, South Western Australia in 1907 and Canada in 2008.

For background reading on prorogation generally, see:

  1. •

    Practice Note: Head of State and Parliament

  2. •

    Commentary: Prorogation and adjournment: Erskine May Parliamentary Practice [8.5]

  3. •

    Commentary: 838. Prorogation by exercise of

Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts:
Key definition:
Dissolution definition
What does Dissolution mean?

The bringing to an end of a valid civil partnership between two people of the same sex

Read more readmore

Popular documents

Consultation: requirement and process

Consultation: requirement and processAny consultation exercise carried out by a public authority in relation to a proposed decision must be conducted at a time when proposals are at a sufficiently formative stage, with adequate information, and time to allow a proper and informed response, leading

What is the legal basis and effect of revoking UK legislation?

What is the legal basis and effect of revoking UK legislation?What does it mean to repeal legislation?To repeal a piece of legislation revokes or rescinds it wholly or in part. The word ‘repeal’ is used for primary legislation. The word ‘revoke’ is used to similar effect for delegated

Parliamentary supremacy the enrolled bill rule

Parliamentary supremacy the enrolled bill ruleIt is not possible to successfully argue that an Act of Parliament is invalid because of flaws, or even fraud, in the legislative process.Early origins of the principleArguably the principle is derived from that laid down in The Prince's Case. The case

What is a public authority?

What is a public authority?There is no single, universal answer to the question whether a particular organisation is treated, in law, as a public authority.Rather, on one hand the courts have developed case law on which bodies are subject to administrative law through the judicial review procedure;