The House of Lords, located in the Palace of Westminster, London, is a collective noun phrase that refers to the upper chamber, or upper house, of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Comprising members known as peers, the House of Lords plays a crucial role in the legislative process alongside the lower chamber, the House of Commons. It serves not only as a revising chamber, providing scrutiny and expertise to proposed legislations, but also undertakes influential constitutional, advisory, and judicial roles. The phrase House of Lords dates back several centuries, embodying tradition, history, and most notably, the importance of hereditary peerage. Initially composed exclusively of aristocratic members, these hereditary peers were those whose titles, such as dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, and barons, would be passed down through generations. However, with several significant constitutional reforms in the 20th and 21st centuries, the hereditary element has been significantly reduced in favor of life peerages and judges as well. Today, the House of Lords consists of around 800 members. Life peers, who are appointed by the monarch on advice from the prime minister, make up a majority of the House. Representing a wide range of expertise and experiences, life peers contribute their knowledge and insights to debates and discussions on various policy matters. The House of Lords also accommodates bishops from the Church of England, appointing them as Lords Spiritual, enabling this historical link between church and state to be upheld. As the ultimate legislative authority lies with the elected representatives in the House of Commons, the House of Lords serves as a complementary revising chamber. It examines bills passed by the lower house, suggesting amendments or raising pertinent questions to ensure that legislation is well-informed, effective, and compatible with legal and ethical standards. Due to its diverse composition and wealth of expertise, the House of Lords often lends a broader perspective to decision-making processes and assists in finding remedies for shortcomings in proposed government policies. Moreover, the House of Lords performs judicial functions through its appellate jurisdiction in the UK legal system. The highest court of appeal for most cases in the country is the Supreme Court, formerly the judicial committee of the House of Lords. This nexus between the legislative and judicial branches further underscores the significance and influence of the House of Lords on shaping laws and providing legal interpretations. In conclusion, the collective noun phrase House of Lords symbolizes the upper chamber of the UK Parliament, comprising peers appointed for their expertise
Example sentences using House of Lords
1) The House of Lords is the upper chamber of the British Parliament.
2) The purpose of the House of Lords is to provide expertise and review legislation before it becomes law.
3) The House of Lords is composed of appointed members, including life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers.