Certification Officer

Guidance & Forms

Whilst we try to keep our approach as straightforward and user-friendly as we can, we recognise that some of the legal procedures involved in dealing with the Certification Officer can be a little daunting.

To help you through the process we have designed a range of simple guides to most of the functions of the Office. Simply click on one of the titles below to find out more. Please remember you can always contact a member of staff (by letter, telephone or e-mail) if you need more help.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2002, the Certification Officer is required to make available a publication scheme setting out the classes of information he holds, the manner in which that information is published and any charge that is made for the information.  The Publication Scheme is available from the link below.

AR21: annual return form for trade unions (revised February 2011)
Statement to Members: guidance notes for trade unions (revised April 2011)
Statement to Members: model statement (revised April 2011)
AR27: annual return form for employers' associations (revised February 2011)
Mergers: a guide to the statutory requirements for transfers of engagements and amalgamations of trade unions (revised March 2011)
Mergers: a guide to the statutory requirements for transfers of engagements and amalgamations of employers' associations (revised July 2011)
Political funds: a guide to review ballots (revised June 2012)
Political Funds: Guidance for trade unions and employers' associations wishing to establish a political fund (revised Sept 2012)
Financial irregularities in trade unions and employers' associations: the approach of the Certification Officer in exercising his powers of investigation (revised July 2011)
Statutory fees: current list of fees for services (revised June 2011)
Freedom of Information Act: Certification Office Publication Scheme (revised Aug 2012)
Independence a guide for trade unions wishing to apply for a certificate of independence (revised November 2011)
Guidance on making a complaint against a trade union (revised Jan 2012)
Registration of complaint form (revised July 2011)
Guidance on procedure at formal hearings of the Certification Officer (revised March 2012)
Disclosure of identity of individuals making applications and complaints to the Certification Officer
Guidance on The Certification Officer’s Role as a Prescribed Person for the Purposes of Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998' - 'whistleblowing'