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Disciplinary Bye-laws

The ICAEW Disciplinary Bye laws set out the core legal and professional rules that govern how ICAEW members, firms and other relevant individuals are held to account when concerns are raised about their conduct, competence or compliance with professional standards. They form the backbone of ICAEW’s disciplinary framework, defining who can be disciplined, for what reasons, and with what consequences, while detailed procedures are dealt with in separate regulations.

Current regulations

Most recent amendments

The Investigation and Disciplinary Regulations and Disciplinary Bye-laws have been amended and will come into effect on 1 October 2026. The changes are concerned with division and title name changes, new measures to assist in managing increased complaint numbers, the new constructive engagement process, provisions to allow further detail to be published in respect of committee decisions, fast track and lie on file provisions for non-cooperation matters, and adjustments to the local public audit regime.

2023 changes to ICAEW’s disciplinary framework

A wide-ranging update to ICAEW’s disciplinary framework took place during 2023. The project, led by the ICAEW Regulation & Conduct Board set out to clarify processes and improve overall transparency and accessibility.

Previous Disciplinary Bye-laws (archive)

Further support

Disciplinary Bye-laws definitions