The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sets out principles which underlie relations between the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations.
The Memorandum is supplemented by agreements on the establishment of a Joint Ministerial Committee and for certain other areas where it is necessary to ensure uniform arrangements for relations between the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations.
The MoU and Concordats between the Northern Ireland Assembly and the UK Government departments have ceased to operate during suspension. However, the broad principles of co-operation and communication between UK Government Departments and Northern Ireland Departments continue to apply as a matter of good practice - particularly since Northern Ireland Office Ministers share collective Ministerial responsibility with their colleagues in other UK Government Departments.
Memorandum of Understanding 
[PDF
223 kb, 50 pages]
There are Concordats voluntarily agreed between the Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Devolved Administration (The National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Executive).
These Concordats are intended to promote constructive co-operation and communication. They set out a working framework within which Ministers and officials may continue and develop relationships between the administrations. The primary aim is to ensure that if either is planning action impinging on the responsibilities of the other, it gives adequate forewarning.
Each Whitehall department is encouraged to agree a bilateral Concordat with each of the Devolved Administrations. These can be found on the relevant departmental website.
This leaflet provides an easy guide to what officials should and shouldn't do when dealing with the devolved administrations. This guide was updated on 17 February 2006.
Download
devolution: a guide for officials [PDF 65kb,
3 pages]