standing orders

In Britain, the printed rules for regulating the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament, which, unless repealed, remain in force from parliament to parliament. They may be supplemented from time to time by sessional or temporary orders and resolutions.

The standing orders which relate to the public business of the House of Commons are by no means a complete code of procedure but require to be more informally supplemented by unwritten precedents, general practice, and specific rulings from the Speaker. No special procedure is involved in the making, suspending, or repeal of a standing order except that adequate notice must normally be given. The majority of the standing orders date from the early 19th century and have been frequently amended since.

In the House of Lords the public business standing orders, unlike those in the Commons, exist in the main to declare practice; some modify practice but rarely with the intent of accelerating business as in the Commons. In addition to the public business standing orders each House has elaborate standing orders for the regulation of private bill procedure.