Conflicts of interest
Recognise, disclose and manage interests that could compromise impartial judgement.
What you will learn
- Identify actual, potential and perceived conflicts.
- Disclose before participating in the decision.
- Choose proportionate recusal or independent review.
A conflict does not require proven misconduct. It exists when another interest could reasonably affect—or appear to affect—an entrusted decision.
Core method
A conflict does not require proven misconduct. It exists when another interest could reasonably affect—or appear to affect—an entrusted decision.
- Define the exact decision or claim before analysing detail.
- Use evidence that is relevant to the stated context.
- Record uncertainty instead of replacing it with confident wording.
Applied case
A reviewer is assigned to score a grant application from an organisation where a close family member works.
Apply the method
Explain the appropriate response.
Review answer guidance
Disclose the relationship immediately, do not access or discuss material beyond what is needed to transfer the case, and allow the accountable body to appoint an independent reviewer and record the recusal.
Use in an assessment
Apply the method to the information provided in the task. A strong response makes its reasoning traceable and does not rely on specialist facts that are absent from the evidence.
- Read the requested outcome and constraints first.
- Eliminate responses that exceed the available evidence.
- Review whether the conclusion answers the precise question.