A writ of summons is a document calling Members of the Lords to Parliament. Members of the House of Lords may not take their seats until they have obtained their writ of summons. Writs of summons are issued by direction of the Lord Chancellor from the office of the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery. New writs are issued before the meeting of each Parliament to all Lords Spiritual and Temporal who have a right to seats in the House.
Further information on this subject can be found from the following links.
Related glossary term: Lord Chancellor
House of Lords Information Office briefing paper: Membership of the House of Lords ( PDF 543 KB)
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