Third Party Disclosure
What is third party disclosure?
This is material requested by the police that is held by a third party, such as personal records about an individual, for example education records, medical files, local authority records or therapy notes, which are sometimes requested as part of an investigation.
We understand that the police requesting to review your personal records can feel intrusive and has the potential to cause concern.
To help allieviate any concerns you may have, we have developed a frequently asked questions FAQ document to explain what happens when we request information about you from other organisations, why we do this and what rights you have.
You are encouraged to share your views, ask any questions, and raise any objections you have to your officer or contact one of the support agencies listed in the document throughout the process.
This document includes guidance on:
- Your right to record your objection to the request to review your personal information.
- The options, impact, and next steps to the third-party material request.
- Your information/ privacy rights.
- The legal basis upon which the Police can review your personal information.
- How the police will request the personal records.
- How the police will review and manage the personal records.
Throughout this document, your personal records or material are referred to as third party material. Third party material is material held by a person, organisation, or government department other than the investigator and prosecutor, either within the UK or outside the UK.
Third parties are not directly involved in the case in question but may hold information relevant to it. Examples of this type of material include medical notes, education records, and social services records.