Guidance

Disclosure protocols for government departments

Guidance for departments and civil servants on the Provision of Information by government departments in criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Disclosure protocols for government departments

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Details

Every accused person has a right to a fair trial and the disclosure process secures the right to a fair trial.

Investigators and prosecutors have common law and statutory disclosure obligations and to comply with these obligations, it may be necessary for investigators and prosecutors to seek access to material held by a government department or other Crown body.

This document includes background information on the disclosure process and guidance on how civil servants, government departments and other Crown bodies can assist investigators and prosecutors where there are requests for access to material, and where appropriate, provision of the information and material sought.

Updates to this page

Published 23 April 2024

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