Court Order – Litigant in Person

Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police guidance for private individuals (Litigants in person) for disclosure of information in Family proceedings

Guidance and information on application for disclosure of information for family court proceedings (Court order);

• What this allows you to request/apply for
• Exclusions and limitations (includes who can apply)
• Information on where else to go for connected matters
• Guidance on the disclosure process
• Contacting us
• Charges and procedures for payment if applicable

What this allows you to request/apply for

This guidance sets out the process for applicants to apply for information required for a court order application from records/information held by Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police.

D&C and Dorset Police work closely with the Family Court and those going through family proceedings to help ensure proceedings run smoothly and to make sure the Court has everything it needs to make decisions in relation to children and families.

D&C and Dorset Police will respond to requests from local authorities, the courts or private law firms in connection with a family court disclosure process for imminent family court proceedings.

Exclusions and limitations (includes who can apply)

Exclusions

Disclosures will be actioned and based on careful consideration of all facts including the necessity, suitability, fairness, lawfulness, proportionality, adequacy and relevance. 

Information on where else to go for connected matters

• If you are a listed party within civil family court proceedings and disclosure has been requested by the court from Devon & Cornwall or Dorset Police, there are two routes to request information:
  1. Court Order – If you or your legal representative have already obtained an order from the court please send a copy to: Plymouth Disclosure Unit
     Fees will apply.
  2. Right of access – If you are a listed party within a civil family court process and neither you nor your legal representative have obtained the above court order then you may wish to apply for your personal data held by Devon & Cornwall or Dorset Police under the Right of Access process. (This is not a full disclosure as it will not extend to third party information therefore a court order is advised)
     • Members of the public have the right under the Right of Access process to be provided with access to their personal data held locally by Devon & Cornwall or Dorset Police, (exemptions may apply). For more information please see:
       • Data protection | Devon & Cornwall Police (devon-cornwall.police.uk)
       • Data protection | Dorset Police
         No fee is applicable for Subject Access requests.

Guidance on the disclosure process

What we need from you:

1. Approved court Order
2. Completed LIP (Litigant in Person) Form
3. Copies of your ID documents
4. Search Fee – Please note that if your disclosure request relates to a non-molestation Order, standard disclosure (call logs and crime reports ONLY) will be provided free of charge. If any additional information, beyond standard disclosure is required, charges will apply.
   1. The disclosure process:
      On receipt of the completed LIP form, copies of your ID, Order and our search fee (if applicable), Devon & Cornwall or Dorset Police will acknowledge your request and provide you with our unique reference number. This will need to be used in all future correspondence with us.
   2. Non-molestation Order
      Where standard disclosure is requested in support of a non-molestation Order, Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police will provide this free of charge, in support of victims of domestic violence. Standard disclosure will cover the release of crime/enquiry reports and call logs. If you decide that additional information is required i.e. statements, interviews, then the process and associated charges for Disclosure Orders (detailed below) will be applied.

Disclosure Order

5. Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police will search for the information directed for disclosure on the Court Order and will provide you with a Summary List within 14 days. This will list the relevant materials that we hold and their associated cost.
6. You will need to share a copy of the Summary List with the parties to proceedings and agree what items you require from the Summary List.
7. Once you’ve agreed what items you require, you will need to contact the Alliance Disclosure Team, to confirm the same. You will also need to provide us with payment in full for the cost of the items. No work will be undertaken until we have confirmed payment has been received.
8. We will aim to provide you with disclosure of the requested materials within 14 days. Disclosure will be made via secure email or Egress Workspace, depending on the size of the disclosure being made.
9. The materials disclosed will be appropriately redacted to ensure the protection of sensitive police information and information that, if known, might place persons at risk.
10. You will need to ensure that any materials disclosed to you, are onwardly shared with all parties to proceedings.
11. The materials disclosed are to be used in court proceedings ONLY.

Litigant in person form

Contacting us

Email/post any court order requests to:

Plymouth Disclosure Unit

Alliance Disclosure Team
Devonport Police Office
Fore Street
Devonport
Plymouth
PL1 4DW

Note: Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police will be unable to provide you with information contained on police systems over the telephone or by email prior to completion of your request. 

Charges and procedures for payment if applicable

Guidance allows Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police to appropriately charge for the disclosure of information in respect of private law matters.

Further details of current charges can be found at Appendix A.

Appendix A -Disclosure fees

Alliance Disclosure Team (ADT) – 2023/2024

As per recommended fees in the NPCC Guidelines.

These charges will take effect on any Court Production Orders received by the Constabulary on or after 1 APRIL 2023.

REVISED: 2023/24

Appendix B – Flow of the disclosure process

1. YOU will need to send the Alliance Disclosure Team (ADT) an approved Court Order.

2. YOU will need to provide the ADT with a completed LIP Form, ID and pay our Search Fee.

3. THE ADT will prepare and send you a Summary List within 14 days. This will detail all the relevant materials that we hold and their associated cost.

4. YOU will need to forward a copy of the Summary List to any other parties to proceedings.

5. YOU will need to agree with the other parties what documents you require for your Court proceedings.

6. YOU will need to email the ADT to confirm what documents you require and to make payment in respect of the same.

7. THE ADT will endeavour to process your request within 14 days and a redacted copy of Police disclosure will be emailed to you.

8. YOU will need to share the disclosure with the parties to proceedings.

9. THE ADT will close your file pending any further requests for disclosure.