Code

The Civil Service Code

The Civil Service Code (‘the Code’), issued by the Minister for the Civil Service (the Prime Minister), is the ethical code of conduct for civil servants. It outlines the core values of the Civil Service – integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality – and describes the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants against each of these four values.

The Code is part of the contractual relationship between a civil servant and their Civil Service employer.

The Code also sets out the requirement for all Civil Service organisations to make their civil servants aware of the Code and its core values.

Raising a Code Complaint

If you are asked to do something as a civil servant which conflicts with the Code, or are aware that another civil servant is acting in conflict with the Code, you should first raise the concern within your employer.

Each Civil Service employer will have a multi-stage ‘Raising a Concern’ policy for civil servants to follow when they have concerns on a range of issues. This will include how to raise concerns relating to the Code.

Only civil servants currently serving in UK government departments, agencies and other bodies (excluding the Diplomatic Service) can bring complaints under the Code. Members of the public are not permitted to bring complaints about civil servants’ conduct through this procedure.

A Code complaint should initially be raised with your line manager or someone else in your line management chain. If this is not appropriate, you can raise the matter with your employer’s ‘“Nominated Officer(s)’”, who advise staff on the Code.

You can refer your complaint to us if you have taken the prescribed steps as outlined in your organisation’s ‘Raising a Concern’ policy and if you remain dissatisfied with the outcome.

Raising a concern with the Commission

The guidance here explains what you should do if you wish to raise a complaint, how we decide whether to accept your request for a complaint investigation, and how we will go about our investigation.

• Please review this guide before you bring your complaint to us: A guide for Civil Servants bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission.
• If you would like to raise a complaint with us please complete the form here.

This should then be sent via email to [email protected] or via post to:

Promotion of the Code

We work with departments to help them promote the core values of the Civil Service as outlined in the Civil Service Code.

We took on this role in 2003 at the suggestion of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, and with the support of the Cabinet Secretary.

Last updated: March 2026