Parliamentary Terms, Sessions and Days

A parliament is elected for a term of years fixed by the constitution (see Box 1). Within this period, parliament sits for a session at a time, usually of about a year’s duration but technically of indeterminate length. Within Commonwealth countries, parliaments have met for sessions of just a few days to a number of years.  A session is initiated by a summoning of parliament by the head of state and ends with a prorogation, proclaimed by the same authority, which is a recess between sessions. At the end of a parliament’s term, however, there is dissolution rather than a prorogation, or the period between two sessions of a legislative body, and fresh elections are called.

Parliament sits throughout a session, usually meeting on days specified by the Standing Orders. A session adjourns during the intervening periods, which are usually quite short. Adjournments are matters for decision by parliament and no other authorities are involved.

As noted above, a session of parliament is initiated by the Head of State. If it were the first meeting after an election, the first item of business would be the election of a Speaker, after which Members would be sworn or affirmed in to their positions. There would then be a ceremonial opening of parliament by the head of state at which the Speech from the Throne (sometimes called a Statement of Government Policy) would be delivered. In some jurisdictions it is possible for parliament to commence business without such a speech. But even where it is possible, such a situation is very much an exception as much of parliament’s business for any session is the consideration of policies outlined by the government in that statement.

For the business of parliament to take place, the constitution or Standing Orders would usually specify that a minimum number of Members, or a quorum, shall be present at all times. It is customary for the Speaker to carry on with business until the lack of a quorum is drawn to his or her attention. If the question is raised and the lack of a quorum is proved, the Speaker will allow a few minutes for the necessary number of Members to be found, usually with the ringing of a quorum bell. If the quorum is still not found, the Speaker will adjourn the House until the next sitting. However the Standing Orders of some parliaments allow the Speaker not to adjourn the House but merely to hold over the business that was under consideration until the next sitting day, with the House meanwhile proceeding to the next item of business.