Law and Public Service Ethics - Study Guide
What this domain tests
This domain tests legal sources and hierarchy, key administrative laws and the ethical standards expected of civil servants: integrity, impartiality, accountability, confidentiality, political neutrality and avoidance of conflict of interest.
Core rules and concepts
- Legal hierarchy: the Constitution is supreme; then legislation and ordinances; then rules and regulations; then decisions and precedents. Ratified treaties and custom also have recognised roles.
- Civil service conduct is shaped by the Civil Service Act 2049 and Rules 2050, which set duties, discipline and codes of conduct.
- The Prevention of Corruption Act 2059 criminalises bribery, abuse of office and illicit gain. The CIAA is the constitutional anti-corruption body.
- The Right to Information Act 2064 makes disclosure the default, with limited exemptions such as privacy, security and commercial confidentiality.
- Public Procurement Act 2063 requires competition, transparency and conflict-of-interest management.
Worked example
An officer's brother submits a bid in a tender the officer is evaluating. What is the correct response? The issue is a conflict of interest, not merely 'avoiding favouritism'. The officer must disclose the relationship in writing, withdraw from the evaluation committee and ensure the file records the recusal. Procurement rules may also disqualify the bidder for collusion or conflict. Simply being 'careful' is not enough; the process must be documented.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating a gift or favour as harmless 'custom' when it could influence official action.
- Assuming the RTI Act makes every document automatically public; exemptions exist but must be narrowly applied.
- Confusing disciplinary action under civil service rules with criminal prosecution under the corruption law.
- Saying ethics is only a personal matter; public-service ethics is also a legal and institutional obligation.