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Committee on Standards in Public Life
Guidance
The Seven Principles of Public
Life
Published 31 May 1995
Contents
1. The Seven Principles of Public Life
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© Crown copyright 1995
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1. The Seven Principles of Public Life
The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles)
apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder. This includes all those
who are elected or appointed to public office, nationally and locally, and all
people appointed to work in the Civil Service, local government, the police,
courts and probation services, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs),
and in the health, education, social and care services. All public office-
holders are both servants of the public and stewards of public resources.
The principles also apply to all those in other sectors delivering public
services.
1.1 Selflessness
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
1.2 Integrity
Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation
to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in
their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or
other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They
must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
1.3 Objectivity
Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on
merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
1.4 Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and
actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure
this.
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1.5 Openness
Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and
transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public
unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
1.6 Honesty
Holders of public office should be truthful.
1.7 Leadership
Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own
behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and
robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it
occurs.
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All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated © Crown copyright