Dear all
I am interested in hearing from other repositories holding coroners'
inquest reports on how they intend approaching the question of searchroom
access to them once FOI comes into full force in January 2005. The section
32 exemption explicitly defines these records as court records, and
consequently they are subject to an absolute exemption until they become
historical when they are 30 years old. Are services taking this to mean
that they are available for general access in the searchroom from that
point onwards, or are you retaining a 75 year "closure" and inviting
interested parties to submit a formal FOI request if they wish to see files
between 30 and 75 years old, thereby enabling the repository and any
consultees to judge whether any other exemption applies?
I am particularly interested to know how offices anticipate dealing with
researchers who become distressed when accessing these often very explicit
and graphic files if access to them is extended.
I am happy to receive replies off list, and then post a summary.
Caroline Sampson
Head of Archive Service
Warwickshire County Record Office
Priory Park
Cape Road
WARWICK
CV34 4JS
Tel: 01926 738950
Fax: 01926 738969
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