ClosureACOBA’s ofclosure: the independentnew Advisoryprocess Committeeand oncontact details for applications under the Business Appointments (ACOBA)Rules after Friday 12 September 2025

The government announced on 21 July 2025 that itACOBA will close and that its functions will be closingtransferred as of 13 October 2025.

Interim arrangements

After Friday 12 September, if you have an application to submit for advice you should use the independentrelevant Advisoryinstructions Committeebelow: 

1. Former ministers should submit applications to: the office of the Independent Adviser on BusinessMinisterial AppointmentsStandards (ACOBA)at ind.adviser.BARS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
2. Applications from 13former Octobersenior 2025civil -servants Writtenat Ministerialdirector Statementgeneral level and above (SCS3/equivalent and above) should be submitted via their department to: the Civil Service Commission at bars@csc.gov.uk
3. 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
4. Applications from other senior Crown servants, for example members of 21the Julymilitary 2025and diplomatic services, should be submitted via the department to: acoba@acoba.gov.uk.
   for further information.

From 13 October ACOBA will beno workinglonger asmake usualdecisions on your application.  If you have a live application for consideration with ACOBA in the meantimelead andup to this date, ACOBA will providebe furtherin updatescontact onwith theyou handoverdirectly to successordiscuss bodiesthe inhandling dueof course.your application. 

Please contact the team on acoba@acoba.gov.uk and 020 7271 0839 if you have  any questions about this transition.