Skip to Content

Disclosure Rules changed for criminal records.

The supreme court has ruled that any minor convictions and police cautions do not need to be disclosed in a criminal records check, and any obligation to disclose would breach the individual's Human Rights.

The Supreme Court ruling upholds a court of appeal decision in which an applicant for a job was made to disclose a caution received at the age of 11, over an alleged theft of two bikes.

These records had been checked when applying for work at a Sports Club and before attending University.

The ruling brings into question how long an offence or caution remains on a person's record as it potentially affects that individual's employment prospects.

When applicants are applying for jobs which involve the vulnerable or children, all convictions and cautions are disclosed, which is seen as penalising those with minor spent convictions and cautions. The new filtering system will ensure only relevant information is provided on a criminal records check.

The government had contested an earlier ruling and the case was taken to the Supreme Court, which ruled against the government.

The new filtering system will remove cautions given to adults after six years and children after two.

In the past Criminal records could literally ruin people's lives because of the disclosure of irrelevant information. A potential employer's reaction to an applicant with a record can often be disproportionate to the information supplied; the new system will help to remedy this.


Update - Criminal Records disclosure.

The court of appeal has ruled that the present criminal records disclosure scheme has insufficient safeguards to be legal.

The Government has already recognised the need for filtering rules on criminal records checks, meaning that if you are guilty of a certain type of crime and it was your only conviction, after a period, it will no longer appear on any criminal records check.
But that does leave those offences that will never be removed, and those persons guilty of more than one offence do not have any sort of filter.

It is accepted that the age at which a crime was committed is a very important factor and that special consideration should be given to crimes committed as a child.

As the court of appeal has ruled that the existing system is unlawful it will be up to the government what to do next, the most likely outcome is the Supreme Court.

Image Description
related news
recent articles
Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

Children and the Law - Smacking

Children and the Law - Smacking.
It is surprising that the UK have not adopted the same stance as in Europe where the EU have adopted a clearer stance in makin..

Neighbour Disputes | Nuisance Neighbours

Unfortunately, not everyone is respectful in life, most of the time we just move on and keep our opinion to ourselves, but when that comes to where we live you..

The sex offender register

The sex offender register - Guide..

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Social media in the work place

Social media in the work place - Staff using social media in the work place can become a problem, productivity and performance can be affected by the time spent..

Children and the Law - Car Safety

Up until a child reaches the age of 12, or 135 cm, a child must use a booster or car seat, when a child is not required to use a car seat or booster they must,..

Handling Stolen Goods

What is meant by 'handling stolen goods'...

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' l..

link

Dogs and the Law.

Dogs and the Law.
Does your dog need a license, should it be chipped are you buying it from a reputable breeder and is it covered under the Dangerous Dogs Act?..

Computer & IT Law

Computer and IT Law.
Computer Law is concerned with controlling and securing information stored on and transmitted between computers. Computer networks contain..

New Guidelines for online hate crimes.

New guidelines have been issued to crack down on online hate...

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top