PRONI holds many conflict related court records. We also holds the inquest records of over 3,000 people who died during the conflict. PRONI does not hold all court and inquest records about the conflict. Each year people write to PRONI seeking access to these files.
Information you need to provide
To find out if we have the record of a particular court or inquest case in PRONI, email or write to us and include the name or names of the accused/deceased. It is helpful if you also include the dates of the case and the court in which it was heard.
We will be able to conduct an initial search to confirm if information relevant to your request is held in PRONI. If we do not hold the information or record you requested, we will confirm this and perhaps direct you to other organisations that may hold relevant information.
If a record with relevant information is already designated as open access, you will be able to view it onsite or request a copy. If the record is closed, we will provide you with details of the various options available for applying for access.
Options for accessing closed court and inquest records
At PRONI, we consider requests for access to information under the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA), the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Court Files Privileged Access Rules (NI) 2016 (for access to Court records only). Applicants can decide which process is most suited to their needs.
Freedom of Information Act (2000)
Applications can be made for access to court and inquest records under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If you apply for a court or inquest record under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the version of the record which is given to you will also be available for other people to see. To make an application under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 contact PRONI in writing via letter, email, or by submitting a PRONI enquiry form online
Data Protection Act (2018)
If you think a record may contain information relating to yourself, you can apply for access to the record under the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). You will need to provide photographic identification in order to apply for access under DPA. To make an application under DPA, contact PRONI in writing via letter, email, or by submitting a PRONI enquiry form online
Court Files Privileged Access Rules (NI) 2016
The process under the Court Files Privileged Access Rules (NI) 2016 allows individuals privileged access to information in court files provided they sign an undertaking that they will keep the released files confidential. Applicants can either request access to information themselves, or they can appoint a legal representative or charity to receive the information on their behalf.
To make an application under the Court Files Privileged Access Rules (Northern Ireland) 2016 contact PRONI in writing via letter, email, or by submitting a PRONI enquiry form online.
Who can apply for access to court and inquest records under the 2016 rules
Individual applicants
Any individual who has been affected by the conflict or by another incident recorded in any court file held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland may apply for access under the 2016 Rules. Individuals applying for access to court records under the Court Files Privileged Access Rules (NI) 2016 should complete the application form, using the related guidance notes will help you.
Applicants represented by a legal representative or charity
An eligible applicant may also appoint a legal representative or nominate an employee of a charity to receive the information on their behalf. Lawyers or charities who are applying on behalf of an applicant for access to court records under Court Files Privileged Access Rules (NI) should complete the application form, using the related guidance notes will help you..
Contact PRONI
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
2 Titanic Boulevard
Titanic Quarter
Belfast
BT3 9HQby email: access@communities-ni.gov.uk
by phone: (+44) 028 9053 4800
Will I get everything which is in the court or inquest record?
PRONI will give you as much of the court record as it can. However, there is often information in court and inquest records which we cannot give you.
Many court and inquest records contain information about other people, like people who helped at the scene or people who saw what happened. To protect their privacy, information which could identify them will be blanked out of the copy of the record that we give to you.
Some court records contain details and images which could be particularly distressing. We will also blank these out of the copy we give to you.
How long will it take to get a copy of the court of the court record?
PRONI is required to consult the Department of Justice, who are the appropriate Responsible Authority for most Court and Inquest records, about the information which may be released.
The final decision is made by the Minister of the Department of Communities who is the Minister responsible for PRONI and identified in law as the Keeper of the Records. The process of reviewing and consulting on the records is painstaking and time consuming. For everyone’s sake, it is crucial that the right decisions are made. It may take some months for PRONI to provide a copy of a record that you have requested.