Bylaws of the Guild of Master Locksmiths (GML)

 

Article I: Name, Ownership, and Purpose

 

1. **Name**: The organization shall be known as the Guild of Master Locksmiths (hereinafter referred to as "the Guild").

 

2. Ownership - The Guild is owned by its founder / founding group. The founder retains sole and permanent ownership of the Guild and its operations.

   - The founder shall have final authority on all decisions, policies, and matters related to the Guild.

 

3. Purpose: The Guild's mission is to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, craftsmanship within locksmithing and locksmith training, promoting trust and security within the industry and communities.To make sure that all Guild full members undergo the most intensive locksmith training program in the UK and that is members are held to the highest standard of locksmithing and are considered the elite.

 

Article II: Membership

 

1. Eligibility: - Membership is open to qualified locksmiths who meet the Guild's standards and commit to adhering to its code of conduct.

   - Applicants must provide proof of qualifications, work history, and references.

   - Membership is free of charge; the Guild does not impose fees on its members.

 

2. Membership Categories:

   - Full Member: Professionals who meet all eligibility criteria, including training and certification for a minimum of 36 weeks and are trained under a LTTA certified instructor.

   - Associate Member: Level 1, Level 2 awarded courses and trainees or individuals supporting locksmithing without direct practice, such as tool suppliers, hardware shops and so on.

   - Honorary Member: Recognized individuals contributing significantly to the profession.

 

3. Safe Contractor Approved Scheme Requirements:

   - Applicants must pass a clean **Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)** check to qualify for membership.

   - Members must hold **public liability insurance** and **tools insurance** to mitigate risks.

   - Members are required to complete Guild-certified courses, including:

     - **Health and Safety** training.

     - **Data Protection** training.

     - **Consumer Law in the UK** training.

   - Advanced vetting through the **UKVA** (UK Vetting Agency) is encouraged.

   - Full membership requires a minimum of **1 year and 36 weeks of locksmith training** and successful completion of a Level 3 Guild Award.

 

4. Use of Guild Badges, Logos and Trademarked Content

• Only members may use specific badges within their business. If you are a full member and have received a letter stating you are a full member and have a full member ID then you can carry and use the Guild of Master Locksmiths main badges. However if you are an associate member then you can only use the associate member badge.

• If you are an honorary member then you may only use the honorary member badge. 

• Only members that have completed the Safe Contractor Approved UK Scheme course may use the Safe Contractor Approved UK Scheme badge. 

• All badges, logos are trademarked and intended for use by Guild members. 

 

Article III: Certification for Locksmiths

 

1. Certification Overview:

   - The Guild of Master Locksmiths is the leading authority in locksmith certification, offering **full awards in locksmithing** to set the gold standard for training and competence.

   - Members earn credentials that demonstrate their expertise and adherence to the highest standards of craftsmanship, professionalism, and ethical practice.

   - Certifications provided by the Guild include foundational and advanced qualifications, equipping members with comprehensive skills in locksmithing and related fields.

   - While locksmithing is not a legally regulated profession in the UK, holding a recognized Guild certification distinguishes members as industry professionals who meet the highest standards.

 

2. Training and Certification Pathways:

   - Members are required to complete structured training programs provided or endorsed by the Guild.

   - The Level 3 Guild Award is the minimum certification level for full membership, ensuring members possess advanced practical and theoretical knowledge.

   - Training pathways include hands-on skills development, key systems training, and advanced techniques in modern security systems.

 

3. Continuing Professional Development (CPD):

   - Members are encouraged to participate in ongoing training provided by the Guild to stay updated with industry advancements, including emerging lock technologies and evolving security standards.

 

4. Liability Disclaimer:

   - The Guild does not accept liability for the misuse, misrepresentation, or any unintended consequences arising from the certification of its members. Certification is based on the successful completion of the Guild's training programs and the demonstrated competence of individual members at the time of assessment.

   - Members are solely responsible for adhering to all applicable laws, industry regulations, and ethical practices within their work.

 

Article IV: Confidentiality and Trade Secrets

1. Confidentiality Agreement:

   - All members of the Guild are required to sign a confidentiality agreement upon joining.

   - This agreement commits members to maintaining the confidentiality of the Guild's trade secrets, training materials, and any proprietary knowledge.

 

2. Restriction on Teaching and Disclosure:

   - Members are strictly prohibited from teaching, demonstrating, or sharing trade secrets in any form, including but not limited to written, verbal, video, or digital formats, without explicit authorization from the Guild.

   - Violations of this policy will result in immediate disciplinary action, including possible termination of membership.

 

3. Trade Secrets Protection:

   - The Guild will take all necessary measures to safeguard its trade secrets and intellectual property, ensuring their exclusive use for the benefit of Guild members and the locksmithing profession.

 

Article V: Code of Conduct and Charges

1. Members must act with professionalism, integrity, and respect in all interactions.

2. The misuse of locksmith tools or knowledge for illegal or unethical purposes is strictly prohibited.

3. Confidentiality regarding clients’ security information is a fundamental obligation.

4. Members must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Guild standards.

5. A new member must respect a full member or an original or heritage member that has come before the new member. We encourage you to work together but respect one another's boundaries.

6. Members must respect other members, both territories and customer bases and not actively poach another members contract or work. If more than one member of the Guild is active in a ten (10) mile radius, then the members must work by these bylaws. Failure to do so will see your membership revoked along with any badges, use of trademarked material that is owned by the Guild of Master Locksmiths. Failure to comply will result in tribunal matters being handled by the UK Courts at a cost to the offending member.

7. All members agree to charge a base hourly rate of £55 per hour and to not go below this rate. This is a safeguard to protect our industry and members and to prevent undercutting and price slashing. This pricing will make it equal and fare for all who trade as a locksmith under the Guild. If you require the need to go below the base rate of £55 per hour for contract work then you must inform the Guild by email guildofmasterlocksmithsuk@gmail.com so that we have a record of the rate charged to prevent any future issues. 

8. The hourly rate we state is the minimum rate for all Guild members to adhere to and can change in increments of £5 to £10 per hour depending on the UK economy.

9. We strongly urge Guild members to only use call out fee or call out charges when required and due to specific holidays such as Christmas.  

 

Article VI: Governance

1. Founder’s Authority:

   - The Guild shall be overseen and governed by its founder, who retains the final say on all Guild matters, including membership decisions, policies, disputes and disciplines.

2. Board of Advisors:

   - The founder may appoint a Board of Advisors to assist with Guild operations. This board shall serve in an advisory capacity and is subject to the founder's ultimate authority.

 

Article VII: Training Standards

1. The Guild shall ensure adherence to locksmith training standards and provide resources to help members stay updated.

2. Certified courses provided by the Guild shall meet industry benchmarks and legal requirements as set out by the Guild of Master Locksmiths.

 

Article VIII: Tools and Liability Policies

1. Members must use tools responsibly, ensuring compliance with training and ethical practices.

2. Tools must be stored securely to prevent loss or misuse.

3. Policies for lost or stolen tools must be followed, including prompt reporting, investigation, and preventative measures.

 

Article IX: Insurance and Risk Management

1. Members must maintain public liability and tools insurance to protect against financial risks.

2. The Guild assumes no liability for individual members' actions but offers resources for mitigating risks.

 

Article X: Safe Contractor UK Approved Scheme

1. Members must meet the requirements of the Safe Contractor UK Approved Scheme, as outlined in Article II Section 3.

2. The Guild shall verify DBS checks, insurance coverage, and training completions before approving full membership status.

3. Advanced vetting through the UKVA is encouraged for members pursuing higher standards.

 

Article XI: Meetings

1. Annual General Meeting (AGM):

   - Held annually to review progress, set goals, and address member concerns. All decisions from the AGM are subject to the founder’s approval.

   - Members will be notified at least 30 days in advance.

2. Special Meetings:

   - May be called by the founder or by a petition signed by at least 20% of members, subject to the founder's discretion.

 

Article XII: Amendments

1. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the founder.

2. Amendments require the founder’s approval to be enacted.

 

Article XIII: Dissolution

1. In the event of dissolution, the Guild's remaining assets shall be distributed to a charitable organization promoting security or craftsmanship, as determined by the founder.