The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (formerly ICSA) guidance notes

The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (formerly known as ICSA, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators), has produced a number of useful guidance notes in relation to corporate governance matters. These include terms of reference for audit committees, nomination committees, remuneration committees and risk committees, and guidance on different aspects of general meetings. This guidance can only be accessed by registering on the website as an affiliate.

Directors and company secretary

• ICSA: Review of the effectiveness of independent board evaluation in the UK listed sector – January 2021
• Directors’ general duties under the Companies Act 2006 – August 2020
• Duties and Reporting Lines of the Company Secretary – July 2013
• Matters Reserved for the Board – July 2013
• Corporate Governance Role of the Company Secretary – July 2013
• Guidance on cyber risks – June 2013
• Guidance on liability of non-executive directors: care, skill and diligence – January 2013
• Guidance on induction of directors – June 2012
• Sample non-executive director’s appointment letter – December 2011
• Joining the right board - Due diligence for prospective directors – May 2011
• Protection against directors and officers liability - indemnities and insurance – November 2008
• Directors’ Service Contracts – October 2008
• Directors’ General Duties – January 2008
• Roles of the Chairman, Chief Executive and Senior Independent Director under Combined Code – September 2004

Board committees

• Terms of reference for the Risk Committee – June 2020
• Terms of reference for the Audit Committee – January 2020
• Terms of reference for the Nomination Committee – January 2020
• Terms of reference for the Remuneration Committee – January 2020
• Terms of reference for Executive Committees – July 2013

Meetings

• ICSA: 2021 general meetings and the impact of COVID-19 - February 2021
• ICSA: Withdrawal or amendment of dividend resolution to Annual General Meeting – Guidance Note – April 2020
• ICSA Guidance Note – AGMs and impact of COVID-19: Supplement – March 2020
• ICSA Guidance Note – AGMs and impact of COVID-19 – March 2020
• ICSA Guide to good practice for virtual board and committee meetings – March 2020
• Minute taking – September 2016
• UK Corporate Governance Code Provision E.2.4 – April 2015
• Information rights and voting for indirect investors – January 2014
• Electronic Communications with Shareholders 2007 – January 2014
• Enhancing Stewardship Dialogue – March 2013
• ICSA Registrars Group Guidance on voting at general meetings – April 2012
• Implementation of the Shareholder Rights Directive - Amendment – August 2009
• Indirect Investors - Information Rights and Voting – October 2007
• Proxy Instructions - Abstentions – August 2004
• Disclosing Proxy Votes – August 2004
• Voting at General Meetings - December 2003
• CREST Proxy Voting System - July 2003
• Polls - Chairman's Obligations - February 2002

Annual reports

• Good practice for annual reports – April 2015
• Contents list for the annual report of a UK company – April 2015