Cornerstone on Councillors' Conduct and Standards in Public Life

Cornerstone Barristers is a leading public law barristers’ chambers. It has over 60 members, who provide specialist legal advice and representation nationwide, in practice areas including administrative and public law, local government, planning, property, housing, licensing, health and social care, data protection, commercial and regulatory law. Cornerstone’s members act for clients across the spectrum, including central government departments and local authorities, developers and housebuilders, NGOs and charities, private companies and individuals. Matt Lewin is a member of Cornerstone Barristers and a top ranked public law barrister. Recognised as a ‘rising star’, his clients range from government departments to parish councils, NGOs and corporations. He is a particular specialist in the area of standards in public life and is regularly called on to act as an external investigator into allegations of misconduct by holders of public office.

Preface
Foreword to First Edition
Preface to First Edition
Table of Statutes
Table of Statutory Instruments
Table of Cases
PART 1: COUNCILLORS’ CONDUCT
A. Overview of Local Government Standards in England (James Findlay KC)
B. Codes of Conduct (Including the Local Government Association Model Code) (Matt Lewin)
C. Registration and Disclosure of Interests (Robin Green and Matt Lewin)
D. Principal Councils (Andrew Lane and Matt Lewin)
E. Parish Councils (Andrew Lane and Matt Lewin)
F. Independent Persons (Matt Lewin)
G. Complaints, Investigations, Decisions and Sanctions (Matt Lewin)
H. Offences and Disqualification (Robin Green)
I. Local Government Standards in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland (James Findlay KC, Clare Parry and Matt Lewin)
PART 2: STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE
A. The Ministerial Code (Sam Kharabanda Groom)
B. Parliamentary Standards (Verity Bell and Matt Lewin)
C. Other Elected and Public Offices: Directly Elected Mayors, ‘Metro Mayors’ and Combined Authorities, Police and Crime Commissioners etc (Jack Barber)
D. Outside Appointments (Jack Barber)
E. Civil Servants and Local Authority Officers (Alexander Campbell)
F. Standards in the Senedd Cymru, Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly (James Findlay KC, Clare Parry and Matt Lewin)
PART 3: CONDUCT ISSUES
A. Official Capacity (Matt Lewin)
B. Bias and Predetermination (Matt Lewin)
C. Freedom of Expression (Matt Lewin)
D. Lobbying (Rowan Clapp)
E. Behaviour During Meetings (Rowan Clapp)
F. Bullying and Respect for Others (Catherine Rowlands)
G. Confidential Information (Catherine Rowlands)
H. Bringing Office or Authority into Disrepute (Catherine Rowlands)
I. Misuse of Resources (Alistair Cantor)
J. Dishonesty and Abuse of Position (Alistair Cantor)
K. Duties Under the Equality Act 2010 (Sarah Salmon, Alexander Campbell and Matt Lewin)
L. Pre-Election Period (Clare Parry)
M. Relations with Officials (Alistair Cantor and Matt Lewin)
Index