The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

Appointment of independent scrutineer

106.—(1) The trade union shall, before the ballot in respect of the industrial action is held, appoint a qualified person (“the scrutineer”) whose terms of appointment shall require him to carry out in relation to the ballot the functions of—

(a) taking such steps as appear to him to be appropriate for the purpose of enabling him to make a report to the trade union (see Article 114); and

(b) making the report as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of the ballot and, in any event, not later than the end of the period of four weeks beginning with that date.

(2) A person is a qualified person in relation to a ballot if—

(a) he satisfies such conditions as may be specified for the purposes of this Article by order of the Department or is himself so specified; and

(b) the trade union has no grounds for believing either that he will carry out the functions conferred on him under paragraph (1) otherwise than competently or that his independence in relation to the union, or in relation to the ballot, might reasonably be called into question.

(3) The trade union shall ensure that the scrutineer duly carries out the functions conferred on him under paragraph (1) and that there is no interference with the carrying out of those functions from the union or any of its members, officials or employees.

(4) The trade union shall comply with all reasonable requests made by the scrutineer for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of those functions.