Meetings
Please note that documents are password protected.
Upcoming Meeting
2025
- Date
- October 9th and 10th, 2025
- Country
- Bridgetown, Barbados
- Location
- Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Center (LESC)
Draft Agenda v1 (PDF)
SOCATT Circular September (PDF)
SOCATT Circular July (PDF)
SOCATT Circular June (PDF)
Information Circular (PDF)
Official Programme (PDF)
Discussion papers and documents
2024
- Date
- November 6th and 7th, 2024
- Country
- Sydney, Australia
- Location
- ICC Sydney
Discussion papers and documents
- Australian jurisdictional report
- British Isles & Mediterranean jurisdictional report
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- Issues in the Jurisdiction of New South Wales (New South Wales, Australia)
- Citizen Participation in the Scottish Parliament (Scotland, United Kingdom)
- Parliamentary Oversight of Executive Undertakings (Western Cape, South Africa)
- Parliamentary Oversight of Executive Undertakings (Western Cape, South Africa) – PowerPoint Presentation
- Preparations for a New Parliament and first steps towards Parliamentary reform (House of Commons, United Kingdom)
- Preparations for a New Parliament and first steps towards Parliamentary reform (House of Commons, United Kingdom) – PowerPoint Presentation
- Amendments to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab Rules of Procedure (Punjab, Pakistan)
- Digital transformation of Legislative Processes (Rajya Sabha, India)
- Parliamentary privilege re-affirmed by the Court of Appeal in Tonga (Legislative Assembly of Tonga)
- CPA Codes of Conduct
- Practices to make the Legislative Assemblies transparent from the grassroots level, and the way forward (Assam, India)
- Digital democracy and E-Parliament initiative (Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, India)
- Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Legislative Assemblies (Northwest Territories, Canada)
- Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Legislative Assemblies (Northwest Territories, Canada) – PowerPoint Presentation
- Development of Relations Between the Parliaments of the United Kingdom (House of Lords, United Kingdom)
- Audited Accounts 2023
2023
- Date
- October 4 and 5, 2023
- Country
- Ghana
- Location
- Accra Conference Centre
Discussion papers and documents
- British Isles & Mediterranean jurisdictional report
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- Parliamentary System and Developments in Ghana (Parliament of Ghana)
- Parliamentary Diplomacy (House of Commons, Canada)
- Ministerial accountability and privilege: (House of Commons, United Kingdom)
- Cybersecurity in an e-parliament: A case study of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament: (Western Cape, South Africa)
- Cybersecurity in an e-parliament: A case study of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament: (Western Cape, South Africa) – Powerpoint Presentation
- A Parliament for All: the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Sensitive Audit (Scotland, United Kingdom)
- Approval and ratification of treaties and conventions: the case of the National Assembly of Kenya (National Assembly, Kenya)
- CPA Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures
- Delegated legislation: the shifting balance of power between the legislature and executive (House of Lords, United Kingdom)
- Digital Sansad Project’ (Parliament of India)
- Proposals for consideration at Annual Meeting 1
- Proposals for consideration at Annual Meeting 2
- Audited Accounts 2022
2022
- Date
- August 24th and 25th, 2022
- Country
- Halifax, Canada
- Location
- Halifax Conference Centre
Discussion papers and documents
- Australian jurisdictional report
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- India jurisdictional report
- Scottish jurisdictional report
- Westminster Commonwealth Newsletter (in lieu of UK contribution to the BIM jurisdictional report)
- Canadian Parliamentary system and recent developments in Canada (Parliament of Canada)
- Major Parliamentary Projects – abstract (House of Commons, United Kingdom)
- Major Parliamentary Projects – presentation (House of Commons, United Kingdom)
- Practice makes perfect? Sessional orders as a vehicle for procedural reform in the New South Wales Legislative Council (New South Wales Legislative Council, Australia
- The E-Parliament, a novel digital approach (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
- Procedural and administrative impact of the truck convoy protest in Ottawa (House of Commons, Canada)
- Victoria’s gender equity action plan (Victoria Legislative Assembly, Australia)
- Victoria’s gender equity action plan (Victoria Legislative Assembly, Australia) – Powerpoint Presentation
- Relevance and Importance of Zero Hour in the Parliamentary System of India (Lok Sabha, India)
- Role and function of parliamentary committees (Rayja Sabha, India)
- Audited Accounts 2019
- Audited Accounts 2020
- Audited Accounts 2021
- Rules of SOCATT amendments
2019
- Date
- September 26th and 27th, 2019
- Country
- Kampala, Uganda
- Location
- Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort
Discussion papers and documents
- Africa jurisdictional report
- British Isles & Mediterranean jurisdictional report
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- India jurisdictional report
- History, Composition, Administration and Functions of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda (Uganda)
- Initiatives to bring the Parliament Closer to the People Role of the Speaker (Lok Sabha, India)
- Bringing Parliament Near to the People: Communicating Parliament (Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, India)
- The UK Parliament’s new approach to tackling bullying and harassment (House of Lords, United Kingdom)
- The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Core Business of Parliament: Would anything change? (National Council of Provinces, South Africa)
- Minority Governments: challenges for Clerks – the view from Jersey (Jersey)
- Use of computers on the desks of Members of the Provincial Assembly (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
- Parliament, Members and the Media (Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, India)
- Audited Accounts 2018
2018
- Date
- September 5th and 6th, 2018
- Country
- Toronto, Canada
- Location
- Radisson Admiral Toronto Waterfront hotel and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Discussion papers and documents
- Africa jurisdictional report
- Asia jurisdictional report
- British Isles & Mediterranean jurisdictional report
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- India jurisdictional report
- Promoting awareness and capacity building for Members: the Speaker’s Research Initiative (Lok Sabah, India
- Social Media, a Bane or Boon for Democracy, Parliaments: Key Issues, Challenges & Way Forward (Senate, Pakistan)
- Fairness, respect and equality – Culture of Respect (Scotland, United Kingdom)
- Voting Methods (House of Commons, United Kingdom)
- Foreign powers and family ties: disqualification of Members and Senators under the Australian Constitution (House of Representatives, Australia)
- Foreign powers and family ties: disqualification of Members and Senators under the Australian Constitution (House of Representatives, Australia) – Powerpoint Presentation
- Shrinking of the Sittings of Legislatures, Uttar Pradesh, India
- There’s no business like general business: observations on the absence of opportunities for non-government business in the Legislative Assembly (Victoria, Australia)
- There’s no business like general business: observations on the absence of opportunities for non-government business in the Legislative Assembly (Victoria, Australia) – Powerpoint Presentation
- Proposed revision of the Rules of the Society (SOCATT Secretary)
- Proposed amendment to the Rules of the Society (Lok Sabah, India)
- Audited Accounts 2017
2017
- Date
- November 6th and 7th, 2017
- Country
- Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Location
- Bangabandhu International Conference Centre
Discussion papers and documents
- Parliamentary Developments (and topical issues) in Bangladesh
- British Isles & Mediterranean jurisdictional report
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- Pacific jurisdictional report
- South East Asia (Malaysia) jurisdictional report
- The Changing Role of the Speaker (Guyana)
- The legislators and their representational role: need for uninterrupted functioning of legislatures (Uttar Pradesh, India)
- Induction of new Members after a general election (House of Commons, United Kingdom)
- Parliamentary information and parliamentary privilege in the age of cloud computing (New South Wales Legislative Council, Australia)
- The Power of Parliament to Control Internal Arrangements: the South African Experience (National Council of Provinces, South Africa)
- The Clerk Works and Apparently Gets Perks (Northern Territory, Australia)
- Audited Accounts 2016
2016
- Date
- December 14th and 15th, 2016
- Country
- London, United Kingdom
- Location
- Park Plaza Hotel Riverbank
Discussion papers and documents
- Africa jurisdictional report
- Australia jurisdictional report
- British Isles & Mediterranean jurisdictional report
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- Pacific jurisdictional report
- South East Asia (Malaysia) jurisdiction report
- Supporting an Inclusive Parliament (House of Commons, Canada)
- ICT Applications to support House and committee operations (House of Representatives, Australia)
- ICT Applications to support House and committee operations (House of Representatives, Australia) – Powerpoint presentation
- Use of languages other than English in the Chamber (Northern Territory, Australia)
- Support for private members bills: principles, procedures and practice (Scotland, United Kingdom)
- Support for private members bills: principles, procedures and practice (Scotland, United Kingdom) – Powerpoint Presentation
- Cooperative Government and Intergovernmental Relations in South Africa (National Council of Provinces, South Africa)
- Petitions and petitioning in the UK House of Commons (House of Commons, United Kingdom)
- Audited Accounts 2015
2015
- Date
- Was to have been October 6th and 7th, 2015
- Country
- Was to have been in Islamabad, Pakistan
- Location
- Was to have been at the Conference Centre
Discussion papers and documents
2014
- Date
- October 8th and 9th, 2014
- Country
- Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Location
- Yaoundé Conference Centre
Discussion papers and documents
- Parliamentary Developments (and topical issues) in Cameroon
- Africa jurisdictional report
- Asia jurisdictional report
- Australia jurisdictional report
- British Isles & Mediterranean jurisdictional report
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- India jurisdictional report
- Pacific jurisdictional report
- The Scottish Independence Referendum (Scotland, United Kingdom)
- Legislature and Executive: Emerging Challenges (Uttar Pradesh, India)
- Cane toads, Notices of Motions and the Law of Unintended Consequences (New South Wales Legislative Council, Australia) – Paper
- Cane toads, Notices of Motions and the Law of Unintended Consequences (New South Wales Legislative Council, Australia) – Powerpoint presentation
- Fiscal Management and Challenges for Democratic Developmental Legislatures (Free State, South Africa)
- Towards the 42nd Parliament: Election Readiness, Members’ Orientation and the Addition of 30 New Members (House of Commons, Canada)
- Recent developments in parliamentary privilege at Westminster (House of Lords, United Kingdom)
- Audited Accounts 2013
2013
- Date
- September 4th and 5th, 2013
- Country
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Location
- Sandton Convention Centre
Discussion papers and documents
- Asia jurisdictional report
- Australian jurisdiction report
- British Isles & Mediterranean jurisdictional report
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- Pacific jurisdictional report
- South East Asia jurisdictional report
- The Challenges of Managing Political Bosses (House of Representatives, Nigeria)
- Managing constitutional change – implications for the Clerk’s role (Scotland)
- Review of the Education Services provided by the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly (Northern Territory, Australia)
- Development of Public Participation Framework and Model (Gauteng, South Africa)
- Use of Electronic Devices in the Chamber (Jersey)
- Buildings renovation project at the Parliament of Canada - Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct (House of Commons, Canada)
- Audited Accounts 2012
2012
- Date
- September 12-14, 2012
- Country
- Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Location
- Bandanaraike Memorial International Conference Hall, Colombo
Discussion papers and documents
- Parliamentary developments (and topical issues) in Sri Lanka
- African jurisdictional report
- Australian jurisdictional report
- British Isles & Mediterranean jurisdictional report
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic jurisdictional report
- Indian jurisdictional report
- Pacific jurisdictional report
- Social Media, Free Speech and Parliamentary Service (Senate of Canada)
- Reaching out people – the Andhra Pradesh experience (Andhra Pradesh, India) - Paper
- Reaching out people - the Andhra Pradesh experience (Andhra Pradesh, India) - Powerpoint presentation
- Procedural reform in the Australian House of Representatives; the impact of minority government in the 43rd Parliament (House of Representatives, Australia) - Paper
- Procedural reform in the Australian House of Representatives; the impact of minority government in the 43rd Parliament (House of Representatives, Australia) - Powerpoint presentation
- Standards regime in Scotland (Scotland, United Kingdom)
- Information Management: Changing Needs of Parliament (Lok Sabha, India)
- A Multimedia Approach to Public Participation in Parliamentary Committees (Alberta, Canada)
- The Profile and Work Study of the Activities of Secretary-General (Rajya Sabha, India)
- Audited Accounts 2011
2011
- Date
- July 26th and 27th, 2011
- Country
- London, United Kingdom
- Location
- Portcullis House (Attlee Suite), Westminster parliamentary estate
Discussion papers and documents
- African jurisdictional report
- Australian jurisdictional report (ANZACATT)
- Australian jurisdictional report (House of Representatives)
- Australian jurisdictional report (Northern Territory)
- Australian jurisdictional report (New South Wales Legislative Assembly)
- Australian jurisdictional report (Queensland)
- Australian jurisdictional report (Victoria Legislative Council)
- Australian jurisdictional report (Victoria Legislative Assembly)
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- The Senate of Canada and the Criminal Offences of Senator Raymond Lavigne (Senate, Canada)
- Relationships between Parliaments and anti-corruption bodies (Legislative Assembly of Western Australia)
- Recent developments in the relationship between the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and Members of Parliament (Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, Australia)
- Managing modern legislative institutions in the light of Parliamentary Reforms (Zambia)
- The use of IT equipment by members in the debating Chamber (Jersey)
- E-Office: Moving towards Paperless Office in Parliament (Lok Sabah, India)
- Delivering parliamentary services in times of austerity (Scotland)
- Facilitating Newly Elected / Nominated Members (Rajya Sabha, India)
- Induction programmes for new Members: the experience of the UK House of Commons in 2010 (House of Commons, United Kingdom) - Paper
- Induction programmes for new Members: the experience of the UK House of Commons in 2010 (House of Commons, United Kingdom) – Powerpoint presentation
- Twinning – the experience of the New South Wales, Bougainville and Solomon Islands parliaments (New South Wales Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly, Australia)
- Report of the 1st Conference of the CPA (Africa Region) Society of Clerks-at-the-Table
- Australia’s Parliamentary Privileges Act 25 Years On (Almost) (House of Representatives, Australia) - Paper
- Australia’s Parliamentary Privileges Act 25 Years On (Almost) (House of Representatives, Australia) – Powerpoint presentation
- Audited Accounts 2010
2010
- Date
- September 17th and 18th, 2010
- Country
- Kenya, Nairobi
- Location
- Kenyan International Conference Centre
Discussion papers and documents
- Parliamentary Developments (and topical issues) in Kenya
- Australian jurisdictional report
- Indian jurisdictional report
- The Relationship between the Speaker and the Clerks-at-the-Table (British Columbia, Canada)
- The power to send for papers. A case study: Afghan detainee documents – presentation (House of Commons, Canada)
- The power to send for papers. A case study: Afghan detainee documents – Speaker’s ruling (House of Commons, Canada)
- Parliamentary Privilege: The Kenyan Experience
- Risk Management in the Parliamentary Environment (House of Representatives, Australia)
- Parliamentary administration - Providing common services in a bicameral Parliament (Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, Australia)
2009
- Date
- October 4th and 5th, 2009
- Country
- Arusha, Tanzania
- Location
- Arusha International Conference Centre
Discussion papers and documents
- Australian jurisdictional report
- Canadian jurisdictional report
- Time Management during Short Duration Discussion (Rajya Sabh, India)
- Government legislation: From listing to Presidential assent (Rajya Sahba, India)
- Government legislation: From listing to Presidential assent (Rajya Sahba, India) – Powerpoint presentation
- Recent privilege developments at Westminster - outline (House of Commons, United Kingdom)
- Application of Privilege to Members’ papers (Jersey)
- The Role of the Clerk of the House (House of Representatives, Australia) - Paper
- The Role of the Clerk of the House (House of Representatives, Australia) - Powerpoint presentation
- Members’ expenses – Scottish Parliament
- Members’ expenses – New South Wales Perspectives
- Members’ expenses – The Auditor General: Friend or foe ? A Cautionary Tale ! (Alberta, Canada)
- World Bank Institute Professional Development Program for Parliamentary Staff
- CPA Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures
- Proposed rule changes
- Audited Accounts 2008
- Letter concerning accounts
2008
- Date
- August 7-9, 2008
- Country
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Location
- Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
Agenda (PDF)List of Attendees (PDF)Minutes of Proceedings (PDF)Record of Proceedings (including verbatim transcript) (PDF)
Discussion papers and documents
- Parliamentary Developments (and topical issues) in Malaysia
- Parliamentary Developments (and topical issues) in Malaysia - PowerPoint Presentation
- Australian jurisdicational report
- Canadian Jurisdictional Reports
- Suspension of Question Hour
- The Speaker’s Participation in Debate: Recent Changes in New South Wales
- Parliamentary Privilege
- Parliamentary Privilege, Procedure and Practice
- Relations with the public
- Relations with the public - supporting document, Engaging the Public: Business Plan
- Report on Preliminary Findings of a Questionnaire on Parliamentary Governance
- Summary of Repsonses to Questionnaire on Parliamentary Governance
- Provision of Computer Equipment to Members of Rajya Sabha — A Study in Systems Improvement
- Provision of Computer Equipment to Members of Rajya Sabha — A Study in Systems Improvement
- Professional Development of Procedural Staff at the House of Commons of Canada
2007
- Date
- September 2007
- Country
- New Delhi, India
- Location
- Vigyan Bhawan Conference Centre
Agenda (PDF)List of Attendees (PDF)Minutes of Proceedings (PDF)Record of Proceedings (including verbatim transcript) (PDF)Annual Report 2006 (PDF)Audited Accounts 2006 (PDF)
Discussion papers and documents
- Procedure regarding mentioning matters of urgent public importance during Zero Hour
- Laying of Speeches on the Table of the House
- Freedom of speech and Citizens’ Right of Reply: Parliamentary Privilege versus accountability
- 50 years at the Table - the art of briefing a Speaker
- Information Management – Outline speech for Society of Clerks’ Meeting
- Corporate Governance - Executive Summary
- Corporate Governance - Questionnaire
- Corporate Governance in the Parliamentary Setting
- Managing bills in the Australian Parliament
- Public participation in the work of a legislature - A glimpse into the South African experience
- Financing of Legislatures in Africa
- Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme – Origin, Evolution and Functioning
- Relationship between the Legislature Secretariat and the Executive
- Providing counselling and support for elected members
- World Bank Parliamentary Staff Training Program
- Professional Development of Parliamentary Staff
- Professional Development Programs for Parliamentarians and Staff
2006
- Date
- September 7-9 2006
- Country
- Abuja, Nigeria
- Location
- International Conference Centre – Transcorp Hilton
Agenda (PDF)List of Attendees (PDF)Minutes of Proceedings (PDF)Record of Proceedings (including verbatim transcript) (PDF)
Discussion papers and documents
- Parliamentary Developments in Nigeria
- Office of Profit as a Ground for Disqualification for Membership of Parliament
- Disqualification of a Member of Rajya Sabha
- The Independence of Parliament from the Executive
- “A convenient and necessary elasticity of practice…”
- External Commissions on Alleged Corruption in Parliament
- Professional Development of Parliamentary Staff
- Professional Development of Parliamentary Staff
- Continuing Professional Development of Parliamentary Officers — Australian experience
2005
- Date
- September 7-9 2005
- Country
- Nadi, Fiji Islands
- Location
- Convention Center – Tanoa International Hotel
Agenda (PDF)List of Attendees (PDF)Minutes of Proceedings (PDF)Annual report 2005 — Appendix A (PDF)
Discussion papers and documents
- Better Time Management in the Legislatures: Role of the Presiding Officers
- Experiencing a Minority Parliament
- Parliamentary Proceedings and the Electronic Media
- Process and Oversight of a Financial Budget in South Africa
- Upkeep of Parliamentary Buildings
- Value of Public Participation in Legislative and Other Processes
2004
- Country:
- Canada
2002
- Country:
- Namibia
2000
- Country:
- United Kingdom
1998
- Country:
- New Zealand
1996
- Country:
- Malaysia
1994
- Country:
- Canada
1992
- Country:
- The Bahamas
1990
- Country:
- Zimbabwe
1988
- Country:
- Australia
1986
- Country:
- United Kingdom
1984
- Country:
- Isle of Man
1982
- Country:
- The Bahamas
1980
- Country:
- Zambia
1978
- Country:
- Jamaica
1976
- Country:
- Mauritius
1974
- Country:
- Sri Lanka
1972
- Country:
- Malawi
1969
- Country:
- Trinidad and Tobago
1968
- Country:
- The Bahamas
1966
- Country:
- Canada