Recruitment into the Civil Service is regulated by the Civil Service Order in Council 1995 (as amended) and the Diplomatic Service Order in Council 1991 (as amended).

The Orders in Council require the Civil Service Commissioners to:

• maintain the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition in recruitment to the Civil Service;
• prescribe and publish a recruitment code on the interpretation and application of the principle;
• incorporate in the code certain restricted circumstances in which exceptions to the principle can be made;
• approve appointments at the most senior levels in the Civil Service; and
• audit the recruitment systems of departments and agencies for compliance with the code.
  
  
  
  

In addition, the Commissioners are empowered by the Orders to require departments and agencies to publish information about their recruitment.