Chiltern Hundreds

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A Crown office used as a formal device allowing an MP to leave the House of Commons.

Category: Devolution and constitution Parliament and elections Parliamentary procedure

Also used as: Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds, Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds, three Chiltern Hundreds, Chiltern Hundreds office

Source / explainer: Read Erskine May on the Chiltern Hundreds and Manor of Northstead

Last reviewed: 21 August 2026

The Chiltern Hundreds is one of two nominal Crown offices commonly used to allow an MP to leave the House of Commons. MPs cannot directly resign their seat in the ordinary way, so appointment to this office disqualifies the MP and creates a vacancy. This can then lead to the by-election writ process.

Related terms

By-electionAn election held to fill a seat that becomes vacant between general elections.Member of ParliamentAn elected representative who sits in the House of Commons.Writ of ElectionThe formal document that authorises an election to fill a seat in the House of Commons.
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