Openness and accountability

On this page:

The LSC’s Framework Document
The Commission’s Code of Best Practice
The LSC’s Staff Code of Conduct
Civil Service People Survey
Risk management statement

All documents referred to below are in the Documents panel on the right of this page.

As a public body, we are committed to transparency, openness and accountability in all that we do. Please see the Access to Information page for any Freedom of Information requests.

The LSC’s Framework Document

This sets out the LSC’s relationship with our sponsoring government department, the Ministry of Justice, and was updated in October 2010.

The Commission’s Code of Conduct

Our Commissioners agree to abide by a Code of Conduct when they accept their appointment to the Commission. The Code was updated in October 2010 alongside the Framework Document.

The latest Register of Interests for Commissioners is in the Documents panel.

The LSC’s Staff Code of Conduct

Our Commissioners are required to set out a Code of Conduct for all LSC employees. This reflects the public service values in the Code of Best Practice.

The Staff Code of Conduct is based on three main principles: integrity, impartiality and honesty. It is reviewed at least every three years, and advises on:

dealing with conflicts of interest
deciding whether to accept gifts and hospitality
involvement in political activity
openness and disclosure of official information
dealing with concerns about improper conduct.

A Register of Executive Team members’ interests is in the Documents panel.

We also publish the latest Gifts and Hospitality Register for members of the Legal Services Commission board, which includes all non-executive Commissioners, the Chief Executive, and the Finance Director.

Civil Service People Survey

The 2011 Civil Service People Survey took place in September/October 2011 and involved just under 100 organisations across Government.

The LSC took part in this survey for the first time last year. Results for the Ministry of Justice and its agencies and bodies including the LSC can be found on the Justice website.

Expenses

To promote openness and transparency we publish quarterly details of expenses claimed for both our Commissioners and Executive Team. These can be found in the Documents panel. All our Commissoners have previously been issued with a copy of the LSC's Travel and Subsistence Policy.

Details of Commissioners' expenses published here only capture the information provided on the Commissioners' expense claims (and reimbursed to them). They don't include costs paid directly by the LSC. Other costs incurred on behalf of the Commissioners are not included in these returns. Full expense figures are in the Remuneration Report which is part of the LSC's Annual Report and Accounts.

Risk management statement

We aim to embed effective risk management into all of our management processes. This statement explains:

how we assess, manage and review risk at corporate and operational levels
our aims to improve our risk management approach.

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Last updated: 24 January 2012