The board should define appropriate governance structures and practices for its own work, and put in place the means for such practices to be followed and periodically reviewed for ongoing effectiveness.

Organisation and assessment of the board

57. The board should structure itself in terms of leadership, size and the use of committees so as to effectively carry out its oversight role and other responsibilities. This includes ensuring that the board has the time and means to cover all necessary subjects in sufficient depth and have a robust discussion of issues.

58. The board should maintain and periodically update organisational rules, by-laws, or other similar documents setting out its organisation, rights, responsibilities and key activities.

59. To support its own performance, the board should carry out regular assessments - alone or with the assistance of external experts - of the board as a whole, its committees and individual board members. The board should:

• periodically review its structure, size and composition as well as committees' structures and coordination;

• assess the ongoing suitability of each board member periodically (at least annually), also taking into account his or her performance on the board;

• either separately or as part of these assessments, periodically review the effectiveness of its own governance practices and procedures, determine where improvements may be needed, and make any necessary changes; and