Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Core Concepts Communications in the conduct of public affairs
30.Paragraphs 19 to 23 of the schedule have the effect that communications made in the conduct of public affairs are not lobbying.
31.Paragraph 19 of the schedule provides that a communication made by or on behalf of a holder of judicial office within the United Kingdom, or a member of the judiciary of an international court is not lobbying.
32.Paragraph 20 of the schedule defines “holder of judicial office within the United Kingdom” and “member of the judiciary of an international court” for the purposes of paragraph 19.
33.Paragraph 21 provides that a communication made by or on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen is not lobbying.
34.Paragraph 22 of the schedule provides that Government and Parliament communications (i.e. communication made by or on behalf of the holders of public offices (in that capacity), public bodies, organisations and institutions etc. listed in sub-paragraphs (a) to (o)) are not lobbying.
35.Paragraph 23 of the schedule provides that “State” (listed in paragraph 22(m), which provides that a communication by or on behalf of “a State other than the United Kingdom” is not lobbying) includes, but is not limited to, the government of any State and any organ of such a government and that the reference to a State other than the United Kingdom includes reference to any territory outside the United Kingdom. The paragraph 22(m) exception therefore covers communications by any of the various organs of government (legislative, executive or judicial) of a foreign country or a territorial unit of such country. Paragraph 23 also defines “international organisation” (listed in paragraph 22(o), which provides that a communication by or on behalf of “an international organisation” is not lobbying).