Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022
The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that repealed the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 and reinstated the prior constitutional situation, by reviving the prerogative powers of the monarch to dissolve and summon parliament. As the monarch exercises this power at the request of the prime minister, this restored the power of the prime minister to have a general election called at a time of their choosing.
| Act of Parliament | |
| Long title | An Act to make provision about the dissolution and calling of Parliament, including provision for the repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2022 c. 11 |
| Introduced by | Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Commons) Lord True, Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Lords) |
| Territorial extent | United Kingdom (England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 24 March 2022 |
| Commencement | 24 March 2022 (Whole Act) |
| Other legislation | |
| Repeals/revokes | |
Status: Current legislation | |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
It was originally drafted as the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (Repeal) Bill. Announced formally in the 2021 State Opening of Parliament, it received its first reading on 12 May 2021 and received Royal Assent on 24 March 2022. It was introduced by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove.
The Act fulfilled the Government's manifesto promise to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act. In response to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruling that the 2019 prorogation was unlawful, the Act contains an ouster clause which seeks to ensure the non-justiciability of the revived prerogative powers. This could prevent the courts from making rulings in relation to the Sovereign's power to dissolve Parliament.