Community

The Chatham House Rule

What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Applies Within Circle 26

What Is the Chatham House Rule?

The Chatham House Rule is a principle that originated at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) in London in 1927. It was created to encourage open, honest, and candid discussion by providing a safe environment for speakers to share their views freely.

"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."
— Chatham House, London

In Plain Terms

The rule is simple but powerful. After participating in any Circle 26 discussion, session, forum, or event:

  • You CAN use the ideas, insights, strategies, and information you heard or learned.
  • You CANNOT reveal who said what, which Member was present, or which organisation they belong to.
  • You CANNOT attribute any specific statement, opinion, or piece of advice to any individual Member.

In other words: share the knowledge, protect the source.

Why Does Circle 26 Use This Rule?

The Circle 26 Community is a space where Members discuss sensitive matters — family governance, wealth structures, investment strategy, succession planning, and more. These are deeply personal and commercially sensitive topics.

By adopting the Chatham House Rule, we ensure that:

  • Members feel safe to speak openly and honestly without fear of being quoted or identified;
  • Discussions remain candid, practical, and high-value;
  • Trust between Members is built and maintained over time; and
  • The Community remains a protected space, distinct from public forums and social media.

How It Applies Within Circle 26

The Chatham House Rule applies to all Circle 26 interactions, including but not limited to:

  • Private community forum discussions and posts;
  • Group chats and direct messages between Members;
  • Live webinars, workshops, and Q&A sessions;
  • In-person events, meetups, and roundtables; and
  • Any other interaction facilitated by or through Circle 26.

Practical Examples

✓ Acceptable
"I recently learned about a useful approach to structuring family investment committees that separates governance from operations."
✗ Not Acceptable
"John from ABC Family Office told our Circle 26 group that he structures his investment committee by separating governance from operations."
✓ Acceptable
"Some practitioners in my network are moving towards quarterly rather than annual family governance reviews."
✗ Not Acceptable
"In our Circle 26 session last week, the CFO of XYZ Holdings said they're switching to quarterly governance reviews."

What Happens If the Rule Is Broken?

A breach of the Chatham House Rule is treated as a serious violation of the Circle 26 Community Charter and Terms of Membership Agreement. Depending on the severity, consequences may include a formal warning, temporary suspension, or permanent termination of Membership with no refund.

If you become aware of a breach, please report it promptly and confidentially to the Circle 26 team at hello@circle26.com.

The Chatham House Rule is a cornerstone of the Circle 26 Community.
By respecting it, you protect your fellow Members and strengthen the trust that makes this Community valuable.