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Code and Guidance

Code of conduct
Northern Ireland Local Government Code of Conduct for Councillors (the Code) (393.61 KB, pdf)
Front cover
Commissioners Guidance for Councillors - Updated June 2025 (2.96 MB, pdf)
Legislation
Part 9 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (423.72 KB, pdf)
cover
Public Services Ombudsman Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (442.96 KB, pdf)

Policies

Front cover
Adjudication Procedures (209.46 KB, pdf)
Front cover
Sanctions Guidelines (191.31 KB, pdf)
Front cover
Alternative Action Policy (644.28 KB, pdf)
Protocol
Protocol between the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner (225.3 KB, pdf)
Public interest
Public Interest Considerations (156.81 KB, pdf)
Front cover
Adjudication Procedures (2022 version) (312.96 KB, pdf)
Front cover
Sanctions Guidelines (2016 version) (240.87 KB, pdf)

Information leaflets

Complaint form
Complaint Form (135.31 KB, pdf)
Guidance form
Guidance on completing our complaint form (112.51 KB, pdf)
Guidance for complainants
Information for complainants (100.1 KB, pdf)
Councillors
Information for councillors (99.64 KB, pdf)
Adjudications
Adjudication Factsheet (286.38 KB, pdf)
Guidance for witnesses
Guidance Notes for Witnesses at an Adjudication Hearing (51.27 KB, docx)
Protocol
The Commissioner's Protocol for Remote Hearings (961.13 KB, pdf)