Certification Officer
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28 February 2025
Breach of union rules: Certification Officer v Fire Brigades Union - GOV.UK
The FBU notified the Certification Officer that it had breached its obligations under section 55 in the recent general secretary election and asked the Certification Officer to make a declaration and an enforcement order.
The Certification Officer made a declaration that the Union breached the requirements of Chapter IV of Part 1 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, because the Union did not issue ballot papers to all eligible members. She also made an enforcement order.
13 February 2025
Certification Officer - retirement
I will be retiring from my role as Certification Officer on 31 May 2025. I have enjoyed working with Trade Unions, Employers Associations and their members and have been grateful for their willingness to engage with myself and my team.
I have been very lucky to work with a fabulous team who have supported me to develop and modernise the role of the Certification Office. Together we have strengthened our internal and external processes to deliver higher standards to our customers. I am confident that they can maintain these standards and work with our customers as our legislation changes. They will also continue to look for ways to improve our service and, in particular, to ensure that we deliver more efficient and accessible services online.
I informed the Secretary of State for Business and Trade of my retirement in December 2024. I expect the Department to begin recruitment for my successor very soon.
12 February 2025
Financial irregularity decision: Fire Brigades Union
The Certification Officer received allegations of financial irregularities within the Fire Brigades Union on 12 July 2023. On 30 July 2024, following extensive enquiries with the Union, the Certification Officer appointed an inspector to investigate the allegations further. On 11 February 2025, the inspector submitted the report of his findings to the Certification Officer.
31 January 2025
Leek United Building Society Staff Association was removed from the list of trade unions held by the Certification Officer with effect from 29 January 2025 because the organisation had dissolved.
23 January 2025
Breach of union rules decision: Cassidy v Unite the Union - GOV.UK
Mr Cassidy made a complaint under section 108A(2)(a) about breaches of union rules in relation to the appointment or election of a person to any office.
Following a hearing held by Video Conference on 16 December 2024, the Certification Officer did not uphold the complaint.
15 January 2025
Boots Pharmacists Association (BPA) merged into PDA Union on 1 January 2025. Therefore Boots Pharmacists Association (BPA) ceased to exist from 1 January 2025 and has been removed from the list of trade unions maintained by the Certification Officer.
13 December 2024
Breach of union rules decision: Cromwell v App Drivers and Couriers Union
Mr Cromwell made a complaint under 108A (1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 that the union breached its rule relating to disciplinary proceedings by the union (including expulsion)
The Certification Officer struck out the complaint under section 256ZA of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 on the grounds that the complaint, as advanced by Mr Cromwell, had no reasonable prospect of success.
13 December 2024
Breach of union rules decision: Pinder v GMB - GOV.UK
Ms Pinder made one complaint of a breach of a union rule relating to disciplinary proceedings by the Union. The application was under section 108A(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
Following a hearing held by Video Conference on 30 October 2024, the Certification Officer did not uphold the complaint.
A part of the decision has been redacted because it refers to the personal information of an individual.
15 November 2024
An application to register the Instrument of Transfer of Boots Pharmacists Association (BPA) to PDA Union was received by the Certification Officer on 15 November 2024.
7 November 2024
Breach of union rules decision: Embery (4) v Fire Brigades Union
Mr Embery made one complaint of a breach of a Union rule relating to disciplinary proceedings by the Union. The application was under section 108A(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
Following a hearing held by Video Conference on 3 October 2024, the Certification Officer did not uphold the complaint on the basis that she had no jurisdiction to consider the application.
5 November 2024
TheAnnual Report of the Certification Officer, Sarah Bedwell, was laid before Parliament on 5 November 2024. The report describes the work of the Certification Officer over the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 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 2022.
8 October 2024
Yourmate Union has been entered on the list of trade unions held by the Certification Officer with effect from 8 October 2024.
27 August 2024
Breach of union rules decision: Burley v GMB
Ms Burley made an application under Section 108A(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
The Certification Officer dismissed the application upon withdrawal by the applicant.
Breach of union rule decision: Hensby v GMB
Mr Hensby made an application under Section 108A(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
The Certification Officer dismissed the application upon withdrawal by the applicant.
01 August 2024
Balfour Beatty Staff Association was removed from the list of trade unions held by the Certification Officer with effect from 1 August 2024 because it no longer met the statutory definition of a trade union and it dissolved on 31st July 2024.
26 June 2024
Breach of union rules decision: Bhogal v National Education Union
Mr Bhogal made a complaint under 108A (1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 that the union breached its rule relating to disciplinary proceedings.
The Certification Officer struck out the complaint under section 256ZA of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 o