Constitution Committee

The Constitution Committee of the House of Lords examines the operation and reform of the UK's constitutional system, including the powers and procedures of Parliament, devolution arrangements, and central government accountability. Operating as a select committee of the second chamber, it conducts in-depth inquiries and takes oral evidence from ministers, experts and other witnesses. The committee has recently devoted substantial attention to the Overseas Territories Joint Declaration, scrutinising the governance implications of UK relations with Overseas Territories across multiple sessions through 2025 and early 2026, including evidence from witnesses such as Lord Rutley. Its inquiries have also examined parliamentary procedure, specifically the powers available to Parliament when making consequential amendments to legislation, and questioned Supreme Court representatives on matters of governance and public outreach in April 2026.