Code of Practice – section 1

Page owner: Professional standards director

1 Introduction

1.1 Purpose of the Code of Practice

The purpose of this code is to establish and maintain standards of best practice for members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP).

1.2 The need for the code

A member of the CIEP may act as a client or manager, commissioning services from self-employed or employed editors; or as a supplier of services to such a client or employer, often a publisher, whether in the mainstream publishing industry or other business or organisation.

This code sets out standards of best practice both in the execution of editorial processes and in the operation of a professional business. To achieve best results, both client and supplier should make explicit their expectations and agree on how they are to be fulfilled. This document aims to codify the best practice of both parties and suggest ways in which that may be implemented.

The code therefore describes both the overall practice of publishing and the particular content of the work undertaken, in the following sections:

3 Professional practice of the supplier or employee
4 Professional practice of the client or manager
5 Standards of editing and of proofreading
6 Standards of editorial project management

1.3 The status of the code

This code is endorsed by the CIEP Council and is representative of the views of the Institute.

The attention of members is drawn to regulation 5.1 of the Regulations of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading, which reads:

(a) The Council shall publish codes of practice and other policies to establish standards of best practice for members and to help them maintain such standards and to encourage good professional relationships.

(b) All members, upon payment of the joining fee and/or annual subscription, agree to be bound by the bylaws, regulations and codes of practice of the Institute.

(c) If any member does not adhere to the standards set out in the codes of practice, action may be taken against the member in accordance with the Complaints Procedure.

All members of the Institute are therefore expected to adhere to the Code of Practice to the best of their ability (see 3.3.6c).