Conditions applicable to a released court file8

1

An applicant to whom the Department has released a court file under these Rules must—

a

keep the court file confidential and stored securely;

b

not copy, or permit the copying of, the court file other than as permitted by rule 8(3);

c

not reformat, or permit the reformatting of, the court file;

d

not publish, or permit the publication of, the court file, except where such permission has been sought and granted under rule 9; and

e

notify the Office in writing of any change of name or address.

2

A person who is subject to the undertaking at Schedule 1 may share with a solicitor a court file released under these Rules for the purposes of obtaining legal advice.

3

A solicitor who is subject to the undertaking at Schedule 2 may copy, or permit the copying of, a court file released under these Rules for the purposes of—

a

sharing the court file with counsel;

b

sharing the court file with medical or other expert witnesses; or

c

making a submission to the Attorney General to request a new inquest under section 14(1) of the Coroners Act (Northern Ireland) 1959 M1.

4

An applicant who receives a court file under these Rules shall within ten years of the date on which the Department released the court file—

a

return to the Office the court file and any copy of the court file; or

b

apply in writing to the Department for permission to retain the court file for a further period of time.

5

Upon receipt of an application under rule 8(4) the Minister may permit the applicant to retain the court file for such further period of time as the Minister may decide.