The statutory texts define the working methods of the Congres of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and its structure as well as its scope of activity concerning the evaluation of the situation of local democracy in Europe.

After the adoption of the Statutory Resolution and the new Congress Charter by the Committee of Ministers on 2 June 2007, the Congress adopted a new set of Rules of Procedure during the 15th Congress session in May 2008.

In addition, the Congress' Standing Committee adopted in June 2010 two resolutions concerning the Rules of procedure for the monitoring of the implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and on the Rules governing the observation of local and regional elections.

These new texts reflect the heightened political role of the Congress in a Europe in which local democracy is essential for building a society based on peace, democracy and stability.