Dear list,

I wonder whether somebody could answer a few questions about electoral registers that are less than 10 years old.

I understand  that the copying of full electoral registers which are less than 10 years old is prohibited by law.

How do local authority archive services deal with requests from researchers who need a copy of a page from the full electoral registers that are less than ten years old, particularly when they are unable to visit the search room to look at the register themselves?  Would it be appropriate for archive staff to create a transcription of a particular address for the researcher?

Is it ok to provide a copy of a page from full electoral registers that are less than 10 years old if it is to be used as a piece of evidence in a court of law? If so, does it have to be the court that applies to the archive for a copy of the page or is it ok if the parties involved in the case apply for a copy?

In a court of law, would a copy of a page from the edited registers suffice?
For example, there is a legal dispute between the tenant and the owner of the property about how long the tenant has been living at the property. If the name of the tenant is listed in the edited register, would the edited register qualify as reliable piece of evidence?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Please post your response to [log in to unmask]

Thanks

Zoe 

Zoe Darani, Archivist

Lambeth Archives

52 Knatchbull Road

London

SE5 9QY

 

0207 926 6076 

 

http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/LeisureCulture/LocalHistory/Archives.htm
http://landmark.lambeth.gov.uk/default.asp

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