The Chatham House Rule
I referred in an earlier post to Chatham House Rules. Over a glass of wine last night, Michael Gregg politely reminded me that there is only one CH Rule.
This prompted me to visit the Chatham House website, and so, for the edification of all, and quoting from Chatham House itself, here is the world-famous Chatham House Rule:
“When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed”.
Chatham House in London is one of the world’s leading organizations for the analysis of international issues. It is membership-based and aims ‘to help individuals and organizations to be at the forefront of developments in an ever-changing and increasingly complex world’. Its world-famous Rule provides anonymity to speakers to encourage openness and the sharing of information. It is now used throughout the world as an aid to free discussion. Meetings, events and discussions held at Chatham House are normally conducted ‘on the record’ with the Rule occasionally invoked at the speaker’s request. In cases where the Rule is not considered sufficiently strict, an event may be held ‘off the record’.
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June 16th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
It’s a great thing - utilised recently when Tim Saunders addressed the Canterbury branch of the Institute of Directors about his recent experiences on some well known (infamous perhaps?) boards
July 27th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
[…] invokes the Chatham House Rule, to encourage sharing of otherwise confidential information and ideas. However, some stories have […]
September 15th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Please advise me what, do you do before the meeting you want to have (eg) do state that this is being held in chatham house rule.
Thanks
September 15th, 2008 at 7:37 am
When sending out invitations to the meeting, and again at the start of the the meeting, tell everyone that the meeting is subject to the Chatham House Rule. These days I also tell people what the Rule says and a short explanation of what it means, because I’ve found so few people really understand it. Anyone who is not agreeable to the Rule must leave the meeting.
If it’s an audience new to the Rule, I also might say something about adherence to the rule being a matter of personal integrity and honour. If anyone breaks the Rule afterwards, I make sure that everyone knows about their breach, which in effect is a public shaming. No-one will trust them again.
If any journalists are present, you should speak individually with each one before the meeting and obtain their word that they will obey the Rule. If not, you must tell tell them to leave.