Location: Who Uses AccessNI? > Lead and Countersignatories 

Lead and Countersignatories

Each Registered Body is required to designate a Lead Signatory as part of the registration process for the organisation, see Part D in the Registration Form.(pdf)

This Lead Signatory will be required to sign the initial application for registration, and will be the primary point of contact for AccessNI.  

Once registered, the Lead Signatory may specify Countersignatories to assist in applying for, and receiving, Disclosure Certificates. The Registration Form should be used for all subsequent applications for Countersignatories. The information provided will be used in the suitability assessment.  A charge will be levied for each Countersignatory application.  See service charges

Lead and Countersignatories must also undergo a suitability assessment at the equivalent of an Enhanced Check before they can countersign applications

Once an organisation is registered, the Lead Signatory and Countersignatories, will be responsible for managing the whole process.

When processing Applications for Standard and Enhanced  Disclosures, Lead or Countersignatories must verify all the information provided by the Applicant, and ensure that access to Disclosure Certificates and the information they contain is managed in accordance with AccessNI’s guidelines.

If a Lead or Countersignatory is considered unsuitable, ANI will simply not register them and will ask the Registered Body to submit an alternative.  No Disclosure will be made during this process.

There is no appeal but a review of the decision may be requested in writing.