Summaries of reasons and disclosure of information25

1

Where the Secretary of State notifies the Board that a victim wishes to receive a summary of the reasons for a decision recorded under rules 14(7) or 24—

a

the Board must produce a summary of the reasons for that decision, and

b

the Secretary of State must disclose the summary to that victim,

unless the Board chair considers that there are exceptional circumstances why a summary should not be produced for disclosure.

2

Where any other person seeks disclosure of a summary of the reasons for a decision recorded under rules 14(7) or 24, the Board must produce and disclose a summary to that person if the Board chair considers that the public interest in the principle of open justice justifies disclosure.

3

Subject to paragraphs (1) and (2), information about proceedings under these Rules must not be disclosed, except in so far as the Board chair directs.

4

Other than those of the parties, the names of persons concerned in proceedings under these Rules must not be disclosed under paragraphs (1) to (3).

5

A contravention of paragraphs (3) or (4) or both, is actionable as a breach of statutory duty by any person who suffers loss or damage as a result.

6

For the purposes of this rule—

• “victim” means a person who is participating in the Victim Contact Scheme in respect of a prisoner who is party to proceedings under these Rules;

• “Victim Contact Scheme” means the scheme set out in the Victims' Code in accordance with section 32 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 M2.