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{{more citations needed|date=February 2015}} | {{more citations needed|date=February 2015}} | ||
An '''office of profit''' means a position that brings to the person holding it some financial gain, or advantage, or benefit. It may be an office or place of profit if it carries some remuneration, financial advantage, benefit etc. | An '''office of profit''' means a position that brings to the person holding it some financial gain, or advantage, or benefit. It may be an office or place of profit if it carries some remuneration, financial advantage, benefit etc. | ||
It is a term used in a number of national constitutions to refer to executive appointments. A number of countries forbid members of the legislature from accepting an office of profit under the executive as a means to secure the independence of the legislature and preserve the [[separation of powers]]. | |||
==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
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==Australia== | ==Australia== | ||
{{Further | {{Further|Section 44 of the Constitution of Australia#(iv) Office of profit under the Crown}} | ||
[[Section 44 of the Constitution of Australia|Section 44(iv)]] of the [[Constitution of Australia]] provides that anyone who holds an "office of profit under [[the Crown]]" is disqualified from sitting in or being elected to [[Parliament of Australia|Federal Parliament]]. This provision has been subject to interpretation by the [[High Court of Australia]], sitting as the [[Court of Disputed Returns (Australia)|Court of Disputed Returns]]. In 2018, the Court of Disputed Returns introduced a two-limbed test to determine whether an office was "under the Crown":<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1718/OfficeofProfit|title=Office of profit under the Crown|publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=30 November 2018}}</ref> | [[Section 44 of the Constitution of Australia|Section 44(iv)]] of the [[Constitution of Australia]] provides that anyone who holds an "office of profit under [[the Crown]]" is disqualified from sitting in or being elected to [[Parliament of Australia|Federal Parliament]]. This provision has been subject to interpretation by the [[High Court of Australia]], sitting as the [[Court of Disputed Returns (Australia)|Court of Disputed Returns]]. In 2018, the Court of Disputed Returns introduced a two-limbed test to determine whether an office was "under the Crown":<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1718/OfficeofProfit|title=Office of profit under the Crown|publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=30 November 2018}}</ref> | ||
*An office is "under the Crown" if appointment is made "at the will of the executive government of the Commonwealth or of a State", even if the government does not control the office-holder's tenure or remuneration | *An office is "under the Crown" if appointment is made "at the will of the executive government of the Commonwealth or of a State", even if the government does not control the office-holder's tenure or remuneration | ||
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==India== | ==India== | ||
===Law=== | ===Law=== | ||
The term is used in Article 102 (1)(a) of the [[Constitution of India|Indian Constitution]] which bars a member of the [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]] from holding an office that would give its occupant the opportunity to gain a financial advantage or benefit. It refers to a post under central/state government which yields salaries, perks and other benefits. The actual amount of profit gained during the violation has no bearing on its classification. India had the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1950, 1951, and 1953 exempting certain posts from being recorded as offices of profit. All these Acts were replaced by the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959. By virtue of section 3 of the said Act, certain offices did not disqualify their holders from being members of Parliament. A person is disqualified from [[Lok Sabha]] if he or she holds an office of profit | The term is used in Article 102 (1)(a) of the [[Constitution of India|Indian Constitution]] which bars a member of the [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]] from holding an office that would give its occupant the opportunity to gain a financial advantage or benefit. It refers to a post under central/state government which yields salaries, perks and other benefits. The actual amount of profit gained during the violation has no bearing on its classification. India had the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1950, 1951, and 1953 exempting certain posts from being recorded as offices of profit. All these Acts were replaced by the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959. By virtue of section 3 of the said Act, certain offices did not disqualify their holders from being members of Parliament. A person is disqualified from [[Lok Sabha]] if he or she holds an office of profit except some 56 officers now would not be regarded as the offices of profit for this purpose.<ref name="The Hindu 2006">{{cite web | title=Office of profit and disqualification | website=The Hindu | date=14 April 2006 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/office-of-profit-and-disqualification/article3147008.ece | access-date=1 February 2015}}</ref> The law was again amended in 2006.<ref name="Standard 2006">{{cite news | last=Standard | first=Business | title=Business Standard | newspaper=Business Standard India | date=31 May 2006 | url=http://wap.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/kalam-sends-back-office-of-profit-bill-106053101011_1.html | access-date=1 February 2015}}</ref> | ||
The representatives cannot hold an office of profit under section 9 of the [[Representation of the People Act, 1951 | The representatives cannot hold an office of profit under section 9 of the [[Representation of the People Act, 1951]] and Article 191 (1)(a) of the Constitution also.<ref name="dna 2015">{{cite web | title=Disqualification of 2 UP MLAs in OOP cases historic | website=dna | date=30 January 2015 | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-disqualification-of-2-up-mlas-in-oop-cases-historic-2056686 | access-date=1 February 2015}}</ref> | ||
==United Kingdom== | ==United Kingdom== | ||
In the United Kingdom, the principle has been eroded. The executive sits in the legislature, and from the nineteenth-century ministries were invariably led by Members of Parliament or Peers. | In the United Kingdom, the principle has been eroded. The executive sits in the legislature, and from the nineteenth-century ministries were invariably led by Members of Parliament or Peers. | ||
Until 1919, Members of Parliament who were appointed to ministerial office lost their right to sit in the House of Commons and had to seek re-election in a [[ministerial by-elections in the UK|ministerial by-election]].{{ | Until 1919, Members of Parliament who were appointed to ministerial office lost their right to sit in the House of Commons and had to seek re-election in a [[ministerial by-elections in the UK|ministerial by-election]].{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} | ||
The rule survives in the [[House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975]] which specifies a number of state positions that make an individual ineligible to serve as a Member of Parliament. | The rule survives in the [[House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975]] which specifies a number of state positions that make an individual ineligible to serve as a Member of Parliament. | ||
The last vestige of the rule can be seen through the process of [[Resignation from the British House of Commons|resignation from the House of Commons]]. By virtue of a resolution of the House of Commons of 1624, no MP can resign his or her seat. An MP who wishes to resign has first to accept an office of profit under the Crown, thus vacating their seat. Members who wish to retire ask to be appointed to the office of [[Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds]], or [[Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead]]. | The last vestige of the rule can be seen through the process of [[Resignation from the British House of Commons|resignation from the House of Commons]]. By virtue of a resolution of the House of Commons of 1624, no MP can resign his or her seat. An MP who wishes to resign has first to accept an office of profit under the Crown, thus vacating their seat. Members who wish to retire ask to be appointed to the office of [[Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds]], or [[Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead]]. | ||
While these ancient posts have no responsibilities attached to them, they fulfill the requirements of the law and disqualify members from sitting in Parliament, enabling their retirement. | While these ancient posts have no responsibilities attached to them, they fulfill the requirements of the law and disqualify members from sitting in Parliament, enabling their retirement. | ||
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The U.S. Constitution prohibits a Member of Congress from being appointed to an executive office under two circumstances: if the executive office was created during that Member's term in Congress, or if the compensation for that executive office was increased during that Member's term in Congress (but see the [[Saxbe fix]]). The U.S. Constitution also prohibits an executive officer from being a Member of Congress. Specifically, Article I, Section 6, Clause 2 provides: | The U.S. Constitution prohibits a Member of Congress from being appointed to an executive office under two circumstances: if the executive office was created during that Member's term in Congress, or if the compensation for that executive office was increased during that Member's term in Congress (but see the [[Saxbe fix]]). The U.S. Constitution also prohibits an executive officer from being a Member of Congress. Specifically, Article I, Section 6, Clause 2 provides: | ||
{{ | {{blockquote|No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.}} | ||
The U.S. Constitution does not define the term "office of profit." In fact, that term is not even used in the above-mentioned provision. However, the term "office of profit" is referred to in three other provisions. | The U.S. Constitution does not define the term "office of profit." In fact, that term is not even used in the above-mentioned provision. However, the term "office of profit" is referred to in three other provisions. | ||
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First, a person who is convicted upon impeachment faces two restrictions: 1) Removal from office; and 2) Disqualification to hold an office honor, trust or profit. Specifically, [[Article One of the United States Constitution|Article I]], section 3, clause 7 provides: | First, a person who is convicted upon impeachment faces two restrictions: 1) Removal from office; and 2) Disqualification to hold an office honor, trust or profit. Specifically, [[Article One of the United States Constitution|Article I]], section 3, clause 7 provides: | ||
{{ | {{blockquote|Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.}} | ||
Second, a person holding an office of trust, or an office of profit, is prohibited from receiving presents, emoluments, offices, or titles from foreign powers. Specifically, Article I, section 9, clause 8 provides: | Second, a person holding an office of trust, or an office of profit, is prohibited from receiving presents, emoluments, offices, or titles from foreign powers. Specifically, Article I, section 9, clause 8 provides: | ||
{{ | {{blockquote|No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State.}} | ||
Third, a person holding an office of trust, or an office of profit, is prohibited from serving as a presidential elector. Specifically, [[Article Two of the United States Constitution|Article II]], section 1, clause 2 provides: | Third, a person holding an office of trust, or an office of profit, is prohibited from serving as a presidential elector. Specifically, [[Article Two of the United States Constitution|Article II]], section 1, clause 2 provides: | ||
{{ | {{blockquote|Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.}} | ||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
Latest revision as of 01:39, 31 May 2022
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2015) |
An office of profit means a position that brings to the person holding it some financial gain, or advantage, or benefit. It may be an office or place of profit if it carries some remuneration, financial advantage, benefit etc.
It is a term used in a number of national constitutions to refer to executive appointments. A number of countries forbid members of the legislature from accepting an office of profit under the executive as a means to secure the independence of the legislature and preserve the separation of powers.
Origin[edit | edit source]
The English Act of Settlement 1701 and Act of Union 1707 are an early example of this principle. The Act of Settlement provided that
no person who has an office or place of profit under the King, or receives a pension from the Crown, shall be capable of serving as a member of the House of Commons;
Australia[edit | edit source]
Section 44(iv) of the Constitution of Australia provides that anyone who holds an "office of profit under the Crown" is disqualified from sitting in or being elected to Federal Parliament. This provision has been subject to interpretation by the High Court of Australia, sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns. In 2018, the Court of Disputed Returns introduced a two-limbed test to determine whether an office was "under the Crown":[1]
- An office is "under the Crown" if appointment is made "at the will of the executive government of the Commonwealth or of a State", even if the government does not control the office-holder's tenure or remuneration
- If appointment is not made "at the will" of the government, an office is still "under the Crown" if the government exercises "effective control over holding or profiting from the office"
India[edit | edit source]
Law[edit | edit source]
The term is used in Article 102 (1)(a) of the Indian Constitution which bars a member of the Indian Parliament from holding an office that would give its occupant the opportunity to gain a financial advantage or benefit. It refers to a post under central/state government which yields salaries, perks and other benefits. The actual amount of profit gained during the violation has no bearing on its classification. India had the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1950, 1951, and 1953 exempting certain posts from being recorded as offices of profit. All these Acts were replaced by the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959. By virtue of section 3 of the said Act, certain offices did not disqualify their holders from being members of Parliament. A person is disqualified from Lok Sabha if he or she holds an office of profit except some 56 officers now would not be regarded as the offices of profit for this purpose.[2] The law was again amended in 2006.[3]
The representatives cannot hold an office of profit under section 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and Article 191 (1)(a) of the Constitution also.[4]
United Kingdom[edit | edit source]
In the United Kingdom, the principle has been eroded. The executive sits in the legislature, and from the nineteenth-century ministries were invariably led by Members of Parliament or Peers.
Until 1919, Members of Parliament who were appointed to ministerial office lost their right to sit in the House of Commons and had to seek re-election in a ministerial by-election.[citation needed]
The rule survives in the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 which specifies a number of state positions that make an individual ineligible to serve as a Member of Parliament.
The last vestige of the rule can be seen through the process of resignation from the House of Commons. By virtue of a resolution of the House of Commons of 1624, no MP can resign his or her seat. An MP who wishes to resign has first to accept an office of profit under the Crown, thus vacating their seat. Members who wish to retire ask to be appointed to the office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds, or Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead.
While these ancient posts have no responsibilities attached to them, they fulfill the requirements of the law and disqualify members from sitting in Parliament, enabling their retirement.
United States[edit | edit source]
The U.S. Constitution prohibits a Member of Congress from being appointed to an executive office under two circumstances: if the executive office was created during that Member's term in Congress, or if the compensation for that executive office was increased during that Member's term in Congress (but see the Saxbe fix). The U.S. Constitution also prohibits an executive officer from being a Member of Congress. Specifically, Article I, Section 6, Clause 2 provides:
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
The U.S. Constitution does not define the term "office of profit." In fact, that term is not even used in the above-mentioned provision. However, the term "office of profit" is referred to in three other provisions.
First, a person who is convicted upon impeachment faces two restrictions: 1) Removal from office; and 2) Disqualification to hold an office honor, trust or profit. Specifically, Article I, section 3, clause 7 provides:
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
Second, a person holding an office of trust, or an office of profit, is prohibited from receiving presents, emoluments, offices, or titles from foreign powers. Specifically, Article I, section 9, clause 8 provides:
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State.
Third, a person holding an office of trust, or an office of profit, is prohibited from serving as a presidential elector. Specifically, Article II, section 1, clause 2 provides:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- Achary, P.D.T. (2006). Law & Practice Relating to Office of Profit. Bharat Law House. ISBN 978-81-7737-114-7. This treatment by a Secretary General of the Lok Sabha covers the concept in the Indian and British contexts.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Office of profit under the Crown". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ↑ "Office of profit and disqualification". The Hindu. 14 April 2006. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
- ↑ Standard, Business (31 May 2006). "Business Standard". Business Standard India. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
{{cite news}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ↑ "Disqualification of 2 UP MLAs in OOP cases historic". dna. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Office of profit and disqualification, The Hindu, April 2006
- Just what is an office of profit?, Rediff, March 2006
- Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 20 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 16. — a section about the concept