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Presumption of Death Bill 2008-09

Type of Bill:
Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)
Sponsor:
Mr Tim Boswell

Progress of the Bill

Bill started in the House of Commons

  1. House of Commons
    1. 1st reading
    2. 2nd reading
    3. Committee stage
    4. Report stage
    5. 3rd reading
  2. House of Lords
    1. 1st reading
    2. 2nd reading
    3. Committee stage
    4. Report stage
    5. 3rd reading
  3. Consideration of Amendments
  4. Royal Assent

Last event

Latest Bill

House Bill Date
Commons Bill as introduced | PDF version, 119KB 02.03.2009

Latest news on the Bill

This Bill was presented, through the ballot procedure, to Parliament on 21 January. This is known as First Reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.

The Bill was dropped by its sponsor and will not progress further this Session.

Summary of the Bill

This Bill would enable the High Court to make a ‘declaration of presumed death’ where a missing person is thought to have died, or has not been known to be alive for at least seven years. A Register of Presumed Deaths would be maintained by the Registrar General. Any person would be able to apply to the High Court for the making of a declaration. However, where the application was made by someone who is not a spouse, civil partner, or close relative of the missing person, the High Court would hear the application only if the applicant had a ‘sufficient interest’ in the making of the declaration.

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Related information

Guide to the passage of a Bill

Find out what happens at each stage of a Public Bill’s journey through Parliament with the Passage of a Bill guide.

When does a Bill become law?

Explanation of what happens after Bills have been passed, and when laws may change.