Welcome to our website

This website explains who we are and what we do, as well as providing further information which we hope you will find of interest.

What is the Commission?

The Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland brings together the functions of the Chief Investigating Officer, the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland, and the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.

We work to make a visible, valued and lasting contribution to ethical standards in public life, thereby strengthening public trust and confidence in elected and appointed office-holders.

The Commission was set up by the Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc. Act 2010. Its function is to support the offices of (a) the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland and (b) the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland.


Public Standards Commissioner

Who is the Public Standards Commissioner?

The Public Standards Commissioner is an independent Officeholder who is responsible for investigating complaints about:-

  1. Councillors;
  2. Members of devolved Public Bodies;
  3. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

who are alleged to have contravened their relevant Code of Conduct.

Visit the website:

www.publicstandardscommissioner.org.uk

Public Appointments Commissioner

Who is the Public Appointments Commissioner?

The Public Appointments Commissioner regulates the way appointments are made to the boards of Scotland's public bodies. The Commissioner:

  1. publishes a code of practice to be followed when making non-executive appointments to the boards of public bodies
  2. examines the practices used during appointment rounds to ensure they comply with the code of practice
  3. investigates complaints about the public appointments process
  4. ensures that appointments are made fairly and openly and that everyone who may be interested in an appointment has the opportunity to apply.

Visit the website:

www.publicappointments.org