Form

Independent scrutineer selection process

Guidance for organisations interested in applying to be named as qualified independent scrutineers for statutory trade union and Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) ballots.

• From: Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
• Published: 19 October 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Public selection process

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Public selection process: application template

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Details

This page explains the application process for organisations that want to be considered for inclusion in an updated statutory list of qualified independent scrutineers.

Independent scrutineers supervise and conduct certain statutory trade union ballots and CAC ballots, providing assurance that ballots are conducted in line with legal requirements.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) is running an open selection process to identify organisations with the appropriate expertise and capability to carry out this role, reflecting changes to balloting methods including the introduction of electronic and hybrid voting.

Organisations can apply to provide services for postal and workplace ballots, electronic and hybrid ballots, or both.

The guidance sets out:

• who can apply
• what information applicants need to provide
• how applications will be assessed
• the expected timetable for the selection process

To apply, applicants must send copies of relevant CVs and responses to the questions set out in the template provided by BIST by 17 January 2027.