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, including those within the diplomatic service, 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.

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

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