Court of Experts Code of Conduct

The mission of the Court of Experts is “to shape the future of the Supply Chain & Operations Professions through the development, maintenance and communication of excellence in Total Supply Chain Management Practices, Standards, Education and Research.”

The purpose of this code is to provide a description of attitudes and ideals that should govern the behaviour of all members* when dealing with fellow members and when dealing with external parties on behalf of the Court of Experts.
In the quest for Total Supply Chain Excellence it is integral that the Court of Experts, and its members maintain highest standards in its dealings with others.

This code of conduct is applicable to all members or those acting on behalf of members and refers to all communication and activity which is carried out when acting and contributing as a member of the Court of Experts and/or when representing the Court of Experts.

Many situations will arise which are not referred to in this document but members are expected to be mindful of the Court of Experts core values and principles in respect of: integrity, confidentiality, liability, responsibility, members’ charter, and co-operation, at all times

• Integrity: To avoid situations where CoE interest could conflict with company responsibilities and obligations.

As an industry-led initiative, it is the aim of the Court of Experts to be a support and information body in the area of Total Supply Chain management for member companies. In all circumstances, it is the sole responsibility of each member and/or company representative to ensure that their involvement with and contribution to the Court of Experts does not conflict with their obligations as an employee of the member company.

• Confidentiality: When dealing with other member /non-member companies to hold in professional confidence any information gained of the business of that company, and to refrain from using such information in an unethical manner.

• Liability: To place no liability with the Court of Experts or any member company for use or application of any information, material, advice received from either the Court of Experts or a member of the Court of Experts. All members who contribute information to the Court of Experts are assumed to take due diligence in placing information in the public domain and are solely responsible for the material content contained there in.

• Responsibility: To uphold the high ideals of the CoE as outlined in the Mission statement and Court of Experts objectives and to contribute to the on-going development, and improvement of the Court of Experts.

• Members’ charter: To agree to Court of Expert policies on membership application and committee selection and to neither engage in nor sanction any exploitation of one’s membership, company, or profession.

• Co-operation: To encourage and co-operate in the interchange of knowledge and techniques for the mutual benefit of the profession and in doing so, promote a culture of trust and solidarity within the Court of Experts.

Membership Application and Council selection

The Court of Experts council will select on a yearly basis, 50 member companies who will be awarded voting rights in order to govern Court of Expert decision-making. The selection of these 50 will be at the discretion of the Council and will be based on participation, attendance at meetings, sharing information and contribution to the development of the Court of Experts. The Court of Experts Council reserves the right to revoke voting rights, decline membership and membership renewal at any time.

Implementation and review process of the code.

The Code of Conduct will be reviewed on an annual basis and is subject to change with 1-month prior written notification to members. Every effort will be made to ensure the code meets with all legal and company requirements. In this regard any feedback or contribution to the Code is most welcome from members.

Help?

If at any time a member is faced with a potential breach of the code, and are uncertain about the appropriate action to take, they should contact the Court of Experts office at any time for information and advice.

* Throughout this document the word “member” refers to a registered member or registered associate member of the Court of Experts Limited.