A Bill to provide that public authorities and public servants shall not be subject to any criminal or civil penalty as a result of the exercise of reasonable discretion in the performance of their functions; and for connected purposes.
The Bill aims to ensure that public authorities and public servants would not be subject to any criminal or civil penalty as a result of the exercise of reasonable discretion in the performance of their functions. Its provisions would cover public authorities, public servants and contracts for public services. The term public authority is defined by the Bill and includes the NHS, the police, local and central and devolved Government and non-departmental public bodies. The formal intent of the Bill is to indemnify public servants, central government, local government and other public agencies from legal action if they take decisions in good faith, as a result of the exercise of reasonable discretion, in the public interest.
House of Commons
23 June 2009
This Bill would shield public authorities and public servants from criminal or civil penalties for decisions made using reasonable discretion in the performance of their duties. It would apply to decisions in the public interest, including those under public service contracts, and defines a broad range of bodies as 'public authorities' (such as the NHS and the police). In short, it aims to indemnify public servants and public bodies from legal action when they act in good faith and exercise reasonable discretion.
Currently at the second reading in the House of Commons; originating in the Commons. One formal Bill document has been published.
Generated 21 February 2026
This Bill was on the Order Paper for a Second Reading on several Fridays before being dropped by its sponsor, Tim Boswell.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
