Ethics Regulation
This is where the Institute posts material related to the regulation of standards of behaviour. If you have material to add, or would like to help curate this page, please contact us.
Organisations that regulate standards of behaviour include:
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission promotes and protects the rights of everyone in Northern Ireland.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission challenges discrimination, protects human rights and promotes fairness.
The Scottish Human Rights Commission promotes awareness, understanding and respect for human rights in Scotland.
The Information Commissioner’s Office upholds people’s information rights.
The National Audit Office ensures public money is spent and accounted for according to clear rules and promotes value for money.
Organisations that regulate the constitution and democratic standards include:
The Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland – ensures that voters are fairly represented by defining the shape of parliamentary and local electoral constituencies.
The Electoral Commission oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority ensures public money is spent fairly to support MPs and their staff in doing their jobs.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards upholds standards of behaviour among MPs in parliament.
Organisations with an advisory or other role in upholding or promoting behavioural standards include:
The Committee on Standards in Public Life is not a regulator but advises the Prime Minister on upholding ethical standards of conduct across public life in England.
The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) is not a regulator but advises on appointments to new jobs of former ministers and senior civil servants.
Ombudsman schemes are not regulators but free, impartial, independent services that investigate and resolve complaints. The Ombudsman Association has more information.
Further reading and information:
Marcial Bragadini Bóo (2022) The Rules of Democracy (Bristol University Press).
Robert Hazell, Marcial Bragadini Bóo and Zach Pullar (2022) Parliament’s Watchdogs (Constitution Unit, University College London).
Tarunabh Khaitan (2021) Guarantor Institutions Asian Journal of Comparative Law 16(S1), S40-S59.
Mark Tushnet (2018) Institutions Protecting Democracy: A Preliminary Inquiry Law & Ethics of Human Rights 12(2), 181-202.
O Gay and B Winetrobe (2008) Parliament’s Watchdogs (London, Constitution Unit).
Public Administration Select Committee (2007) Ethics and Standards: The Regulation of Conduct in Public Life Fourth Report 2006-07, HC 121.