Update on interim arrangements for applications under the Business Appointment Rules

The government announced on 21 July 2025 that ACOBA will close, and that as of 13 October 2025 the Civil Service Commission will take on a new role providing independent advice on, and scrutiny of, the application of the Business Appointment Rules (BARs) for civil servants and special advisers.

Interim arrangements

After Friday 12 September:

Applications from former senior civil servants at Director General level and above (SCS3 / equivalent and above) should be submitted via their department to: the Civil Service Commission at bars@csc.gov.uk,
Applications from the most senior special advisers (PB4 and equivalent) should be submitted via the department to: the Civil Service Commission at bars@csc.gov.uk.

Other applications:

Former ministers should submit applications to: the office of the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards at ind.adviser.BARS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
Applications from other senior Crown servants, for example members of the military, should be submitted via the department to: acoba@acoba.gov.uk for further information.

From 13 October ACOBA will no longer make decisions on your application. If you have a live application for consideration with ACOBA in the lead up to this date, ACOBA will be in contact with you directly to discuss the handling of your application.

The Civil Service Commission will publish further updates on how BARs cases within its remit will be considered in due course.