91.To make applications for a Level 1 disclosure on behalf of individuals, or to countersign applications for Level 2 disclosures, a person must be registered as an accredited body. Registration can be for one of those purposes or both. This section sets out who can apply to be included in the register of accredited bodies upon Ministers being satisfied that the application has been made to act in connection with disclosure requests. For accredited bodies acting in relation to Level 2 disclosures, Ministers must be satisfied that each relevant individual, defined by subsection (6), is suitable to have access to disclosure information. Suitability is assessed under section 49.
92.An application by an individual who employs others in the course of a business (a “sole business proprietor”) must be accepted where the individual is aged 18 years or over and meets the registration condition in subsection (4) and, if the individual is seeking registration to be able to countersign Level 2 disclosures, the condition in subsection (5). The condition in subsection (4) is that the individual satisfies Ministers that the individual is likely to be making applications for Level 1 disclosures and/or countersigning Level 2 disclosures (depending on the type of registration sought). The condition in subsection (5) is that Ministers are satisfied that the individual is a suitable person to receive information contained in a Level 2 disclosure.
93.Furthermore, an application by a body corporate or unincorporated or a person appointed to an office by virtue of an enactment must be accepted if the person satisfies the condition mentioned in subsection (4) and, where the person is seeking registration to be able to countersign Level 2 disclosures, that Ministers are satisfied that the person’s lead signatory (and, if applicable, countersignatory (or countersignatories)) (see section 51) are suitable persons to have access to information contained in Level 2 disclosures (this is the condition in subsection (5)).
94.Ministers also have discretion to register an individual aged 16 or 17 years who is a sole business proprietor and meets the condition in subsection (4) and, where the individual will act in relation to Level 2 disclosures, the condition in subsection (5).
95.If Ministers are considering refusing an application for registration, they must give the applicant the opportunity to make representations. Refusal may be partial, if the person is seeking registration to act in relation to both Level 1 and Level 2 applications.