Purpose
The Court of Referees is constituted under Private Business S.O. 89 and is charged with considering the rights (called locus standi) of a petitioner to make a challenge against a Private Bill. It is appointed by the Speaker for such periods as he may think fit, which has long been taken to mean for the duration of a Parliament. It is for the petitioner to prove their locus standi. The three Deputy Speakers and the Counsel to the Speaker are ex officio members.