Prorogation

Prorogation, a postponement, specifically the termination without dissolution of a session of parliament by discontinuing the meetings until the next session. The Lat. prorogatio (from prorogare, to ask publicly) meant a prolongation or continuance of office or command, cf. prorogatio imperil (Liv. viii. 26), or a putting off or deferring of an appointed time, cf. dies ad solvendum prorogare (Cic. Phil. ii. 10, 24). A prorogation of parliament affects both houses, and thus differs from an "adjournment," which does not terminate the session and is effected by each house separately by resolution. Further, at a prorogation, a bill. which has not passed all of its stages must begin again ab initio in the next session, and all proceedings, except impeachments and appeals before the House of Lords, are quashed. A prorogation is effected by the sovereign in person, or by commission. If, at the demise of the Crown, parliament stands prorogued or adjourned, it is by 6 Anne c. 7 to sit and act at once; similarly the Crown must by proclamation order parliament to sit, if prorogued, when the militia is embodied or the reserves are called out.