http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1992/52/section/80Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to collective labour relations, that is to say, to trade unions, employers’ associations, industrial relations and industrial action.1992-07-16texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-05-11Expert Participation2026-04-07 Part I Trade UnionsChapter VI Application of funds for political objects Political resolution<Substitution ChangeId="key-b62575908f60d0da363b3ea4df71d0ea-1771252408075" CommentaryRef="key-b62575908f60d0da363b3ea4df71d0ea">Application to</Substitution> Certification Officer.801Where the Certification Officer is satisfied, ... on an application by a person having a sufficient interest (see section 79(2)) ..., that a trade union—ahas held a ballot on a political resolution otherwise than in accordance with political ballot rules approved by the Certification Officer, orbhas failed in relation to a proposed ballot on a political resolution to comply with political ballot rules so approved,the Officer may make a declaration to that effect.2Before deciding the matter the Certification Officer—amay make such enquiries as the Officer thinks fit,bmust give the union and the applicant ... an opportunity to make written representations, andcmay give the union and the applicant ... an opportunity to make oral representations.3If he makes a declaration he shall specify in it the provisions with which the trade union has failed to comply.4Where he makes a declaration and is satisfied that steps have been taken by the union with a view to remedying the declared failure, or securing that a failure of the same or any similar kind does not occur in future, or that the union has agreed to take such steps, he shall in making the declaration specify those steps.5Whether he makes or refuses a declaration, he shall give reasons for his decision in writing; and the reasons may be accompanied by written observations on any matter arising from, or connected with, the proceedings.5AWhere the Certification Officer makes a declaration he shall also, unless he considers that to do so would be inappropriate, make an enforcement order, that is, an order imposing on the union one or more of the following requirements—ato secure the holding of a ballot in accordance with the order;bto take such other steps to remedy the declared failure as may be specified in the order;cto abstain from such acts as may be so specified with a view to securing that a failure of the same or a similar kind does not occur in future.The Certification Officer shall in an order imposing any such requirement as is mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) specify the period within which the union must comply with the requirements of the order.5BWhere the Certification Officer makes an order requiring the union to hold a fresh ballot, he shall (unless he considers that it would be inappropriate to do so in the particular circumstances of the case) require the ballot to be conducted in accordance with the union’s political ballot rules and such other provisions as may be made by the order.5CWhere an enforcement order has been made, any person who is a member of the union and was a member at the time the order was made is entitled to enforce obedience to the order as if he had made an application under this section.6In exercising his functions under this section the Certification Officer shall ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, an application made to him is determined within six months of being made.7Where he requests a person to furnish information to him in connection with enquiries made by him under this section, he shall specify the date by which that information is to be furnished and shall, unless he considers that it would be inappropriate to do so, proceed with his determination ... notwithstanding that the information has not been furnished to him by the specified date.8A declaration made by the Certification Officer under this section may be relied on as if it were a declaration made by the court.9An enforcement order made by the Certification Officer under this section may be enforced (by the Certification Officer, the applicant or a person mentioned in subsection (5C)) in the same way as an order of the court.10The following paragraphs have effect if a person applies under section 81 in relation to a matter—athat person may not apply under this section in relation to that matter;bon an application by a different person under this section in relation to that matter, the Certification Officer shall have due regard to any declaration, order, observations, or reasons made or given by the court regarding that matter and brought to the Certification Officer’s notice.S. 80(5A)-(5C) inserted (25.10.1999) by 1999 c. 26, s. 29, Sch. 6 paras. 1, 15(1)(3); S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I (with Sch. 3 para. 5)S. 80(8)-(10) inserted (25.10.1999) by 1999 c. 26, s. 29, Sch. 6 paras. 1, 15(1)(4); S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I (with Sch. 3 para. 5)Words in s. 80(7) omitted (1.4.2022) by virtue of Trade Union Act 2016 (c. 15), s. 25(1), Sch. 2 para. 6(5); S.I. 2021/1373, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 12)Words in s. 80(9) inserted (1.4.2022) by Trade Union Act 2016 (c. 15), ss. 19(4), 25(1); S.I. 2021/1373, reg. 4(c) (with reg. 15)S. 80(1)(2) substituted (1.4.2022) by Trade Union Act 2016 (c. 15), s. 25(1), Sch. 2 para. 6(3); S.I. 2021/1373, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 12)Words in s. 80(5C) substituted (1.4.2022) by Trade Union Act 2016 (c. 15), s. 25(1), Sch. 2 para. 6(4); S.I. 2021/1373, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 12)Words in s. 80 heading substituted (18.2.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 83(7)(a), 159(2)(o) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2026/3, Sch. 2 para. 16)Word in s. 80(1) omitted (18.2.2026) by virtue of Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 83(7)(b)(i), 159(2)(o) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2026/3, Sch. 2 para. 16)Words in s. 80(1) omitted (18.2.2026) by virtue of Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 83(7)(b)(ii), 159(2)(o) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2026/3, Sch. 2 para. 16)Words in s. 80(2)(b) omitted (18.2.2026) by virtue of Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 83(7)(c)(i), 159(2)(o) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2026/3, Sch. 2 para. 16)Words in s. 80(2)(c) omitted (18.2.2026) by virtue of Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 83(7)(c)(ii), 159(2)(o) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2026/3, Sch. 2 para. 16)