Certification Officer
6 July 2023
The Annual Report of the Certification Officer, Sarah Bedwell, was laid before Parliament on 6 July 2023. The report describes the work of the Certification Officer over the year 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 and provides detailed information on all trade unions and employers associations. The statistical information it contains is drawn from the annual returns received during the reporting period, which relate mainly to the year ending 31 December 2021.
26 June 2023
Empower The Workers Union has been entered on the list of trade unions held by the Certification Officer with effect from 23 June 2023.
31 May 2023
Security Industry Federation has been entered on the list of trade unions held by the Certification Officer with effect from 19 May 2023.
25 May 2023
Simpson v Unite the Union (D/1/23-24))
This decision relates to Mr Simpsons application under 108A (1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 that the union breached its rules relating to the disciplinary process. This was originally determined by the Certification Officer on 18 February 2021 (D.23-25.20-21).
On appeal, the Employment Appeal Tribunal remitted a matter back to the Certification Officer for consideration. The issue the Certification Officer had to consider was whether the disciplinary process adopted by the Union gave rise to an appearance of bias by way of pre-determination. The case was determined on written submissions alone. The Certification Officer did not uphold the complaint.
12 May 2023
The Womens Rugby Association has been entered on the list of trade unions held by the Certification Officer with effect from 11 May 2023.
National Employees Union has been entered on the list of trade unions held by the Certification Officer with effect from 9 May 2023.
9 May 2023
Stage Directors U.K. Union has been entered on the list of trade unions held by the Certification Officer with effect from 17 April 2023.
4 April 2023
Certification Offices Business Plan for 2023-2024 published
30 March 2023
Dawes v Royal College of Nursing (RCN) (D/18-27/22-23)
Mr Dawes made 10 complaints of breaches of Union rules relating to disciplinary proceedings by the Union under section 108A(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Following a hearing held by Video Conference on 14 ,15 and 24 February 2023, the Certification Officer refused 8 of the complaints and upheld the remaining 2 complaints.
8 February 2023
Change of Name: Currys Supply Chain Staff Association (CSCSA)
The Certification Officer has approved an application from Currys Supply Chain Staff Association CSCSA to change its name to Currys Trade Union - CTU with effect from 8 February 2023.
6 January 2023
The application for a certificate of independence from Solid Trade Union was approved by the Certification Officer on 6 January 2023.
22 November 2022
An application for a certificate of independence under section 6 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 has been received from Solid Trade Union. Any person who wishes to submit any information relevant to this application should do so within one calendar month of the date of this notice.
9 November 2022
Breach of union rules decision:McKay v UNISON (D/17/22-23)
Mr McKay made a complaint of a breach of rule relating to disciplinary proceedings by the Union under section 108A(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation Act). The Union conceded the breach and the parties agreed to the steps needed to remedy the breach. The Certification Officer made an Order that the Union implements the agreement between the parties, set out at paragraph 13 of decision.
7 November 2022
Breach of union rules decision: Eager v Equity (D/16/22-23)
This application was made under Section 108A(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Mr Eager made a complaint of a breach of a union rule relating to balloting of the unions members on proposed rule changes. The Certification Officer struck out the complaint under section 256ZA of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 on the basis that it had no reasonable prospect of success.
2 November 2022
Solid Trade Union has been entered on the list of trade unions held by the Certification Officer with effect from 31 October 2022.
10 August 2022
Breach of union rules decision: Taylor v NASUWT (D/15/22-23)
This application was made under Section 108A(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Mr Taylor made a complaint of a breach of union rule relating to disciplinary proceedings by the Union. The Certification Officer struck out the complaint under section 256ZA of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 on the basis that it had no reasonable prospect of success.
9 August 2022
The application for a certificate of independence from the Criminal Justice Workers Union was approved by the Certification Officer on 9 August 2022.
1 August 2022
Breach of statute decision: Sidhu v National Education Union (D/14/22-23)
Mr Sidhu made a complaint relating to District 7 of the NEC Executive seat elections in January 2021. The Certification Officer struck out the complaint under section 256ZA of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 on the basis that it had no reasonable prospect of success.
22 July 2022
Breach of union rules decision: Lowe v National Education Union (D/12-13/22-23)
This application was made under Section 108A(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Mr Lowe made two complaints of breaches of union rules relating to disciplinary proceedings by the Union. The Certification Officer struck out the complaints under section 256ZA of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 on the basis that they had no reasonable prospect of success.
15 July 2022
The Annual Report of the Certification Officer, Sarah Bedwell, was laid before Parliament on 14 July 2022. The report describes the work of the Certification Officer over the year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 and provides detailed information on all trade unions and employers associations. The statistical information it contains is drawn from the annual returns received during the reporting period, which relate mainly to the year ending 31 December 2020.
8 July 2022
Breach of union rules decision: Evans (2) v Prospect (D/4-11/22-23)
This application was made under Section 108A(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Mr Evans made eight complaints of breaches