Chatham House Rule

The Chatham House Rule is used around the world to encourage inclusive and open dialogue in meetings.

The Chatham House Rule helps create a trusted environment to understand and resolve complex problems. Its guiding spirit is: share the information you receive, but do not reveal the identity of who said it.

The Rule reads as follows:

When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

The Rule explained

Meetings do not have to take place at Chatham House, or be organized by Chatham House, to be held under the Rule.

Any group of individuals in any sector can use the Rule as a pre-agreed guide for running an event, especially when sensitive issues will be discussed.

Used effectively, the Chatham House Rule helps to bring people together, break down barriers, generate ideas and agree solutions.

Meetings, events and discussions held at Chatham House are normally conducted ‘on the record’ with the Rule occasionally invoked in relevant cases. In cases where the Rule is not considered sufficiently strict, an event may be held ‘off the record’.

View our frequently asked questions below to learn more.

Frequently asked questions

For more information

If you have a question about the Chatham House Rule that is not answered by the above please email the press office.

Translations

Notes

We cannot take any responsibility for any errors or misunderstandings that occur in the translations. The definitive Chatham House Rule was formulated in the English language. We are working to provide further translations.

* Please note that you must have the appropriate language kit installed on your computer in order to display some characters correctly.

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