Guidance on the Codes | The Standards Commission for Scotland

Guidance on the Codes | The Standards Commission for Scotland
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Guidance
The Standards Commission issues Guidance to help councillors and members of devolved public bodies interpret and adhere to the provisions in the Code of Conduct and to attain the highest possible standards of conduct.
In this section
Guidance on the Codes
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Dispensations
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Consultation Documents
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Guidance on the Codes
Guidance issued by the Standards Commission for Scotland
The Standards Commission issues Guidance to assist councillors and members of devolved public bodies to interpret the provisions of the Councillors' and Model Codes of Conduct.
The Guidance is kept under regular review to ensure it remains fit for purpose, and contains illustrations and examples of factors that councillors and members should consider when interpreting the Code. The Standards Commission hopes this will help councillors and members relate the provisions of the Code to the scenarios they face and the situations they find themselves in.
Guidance on the Councillors' Code can be downloaded from the left hand side table below.
Please note that the 'section-by-section' documents of the Councillors' Code Guidance with the Code embedded are in the process of being updated.
Guidance on the Model Code can be downloaded from the right hand side table below.
If you have any comments on the Guidance, or would like to request previous versions or a version in braille, please contact us at:
enquiries@standardscommission.org.uk
Advice for members of the public
The Standards Commission has produced user-friendly Advice Notes for members of the public on both the Councillors' Code of Conduct and the Model Code for Members of Devolved Public Bodies. This advice covers:
the different sections of the Codes and what they mean;
what is and isn’t covered by the Codes and the complaints process;
how to make a complaint about a breach of a Code; and
the Hearings process.
Each Advice Note can be downloaded as a PDF from the foot of the table below.
Guidance on the Councillors' Code
Councillors' Code of Conduct - Guidance 2026 v1
Councillors' Code of Conduct - Guidance 2026 v1
26th January 2026
Download PDF
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Councillors' Code of Conduct - Guidance 2025 v2
Councillors' Code of Conduct - Guidance
28th March 2025
Download PDF
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Combined Councillors' Code of Conduct and Guidance 2024
Councillors' Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded Dec 2024
20th December 2024
Download PDF
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Advice Note for Members of the Public on the Councillors' Code of Conduct
13th October 2023
Download PDF
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Guidance on the Model Code
Model Code of Conduct - Guidance 2025 v1
Model Code of Conduct Guidance 28 March 2025
28th March 2025
Download PDF
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Model Code of Conduct - Guidance 2024
Model Code of Conduct Guidance March 2024
28th March 2024
Download PDF
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Combined Model Code of Conduct and Guidance 2022
Model Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded June 2022
4th January 2023
Download PDF
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Advice Note for Members of the Public on the Model Code of Conduct
2nd February 2023
Download PDF
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Combined Model Code and Guidance - Section 3: General Conduct
Section 3 of the Model Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded
23rd December 2022
Download PDF
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Combined Model Code and Guidance - Section 4: Registration of Interests
Section 4 of the Model Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded
23rd December 2022
Download PDF
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Combined Model Code and Guidance - Section 5: Declaration of Interests
Section 5 of the Model Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded
23rd December 2022
Download PDF
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Combined Model Code and Guidance - Section 6: Lobbying and Access
Section 6 of the Model Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded
23rd December 2022
Download PDF
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