Conflict related court records

PRONI holds the records of many conflict related court cases. Each year people write to PRONI seeking access to these court files.

From 28 October 2022, PRONI will be temporarily suspending responses to Freedom of Information and the Court Files Privileged Access Rules requests.

The temporary suspension applies to all transferred closed public records held by PRONI.

PRONI will be able to conduct an initial search to confirm information relevant to your request is held. If PRONI does not hold the information or record you requested, PRONI will confirm this. If the record is already designated as open you will be able to view it onsite or request a copy. PRONI may be able to direct you to other records held in The National Archives, London or National Archives of Ireland, Dublin.

Applicants who have already submitted a request do not need to make a new request when the temporary suspension ends. PRONI will progress those requests which it has received under FOIA.

If you wish to make a complaint about the temporary suspension of FOIA requests, contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Information you need to provide

PRONI holds the records of many conflict related court cases. However, PRONI doesn't have all court records about the conflict.

To find out if PRONI has the record of a particular court case, email or write to PRONI and include the name or names of the accused.

It is helpful if you also include the dates of the case and the court in which it was heard.

Apply for access to court records

PRONI considers 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. Applicants can decide which process is most suited to their needs.

Records under Court Files Privileged Access Rules (NI) 2016

Relatives can contact PRONI to find out if it has a particular court record. The process under the 2016 Rules 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.

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. The guidance notes will help you to complete your form.

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. The guidance notes will help you to complete the form.

The Court Files Privileged Access Rules (Northern Ireland) 2016 are available at the following link:

The Court Files Privileged Access Rules (Northern Ireland) 2016

Records under Freedom of Information Act 2000

Applications can be made for access to court records under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If you apply for a court 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 or by e-mail.

Contact PRONI

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
2 Titanic Boulevard
Titanic Quarter
Belfast
BT3 9HQ

email: proni@communities-ni.gov.uk
phone: (+44) 028 9053 4800

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What do you want to do?

report a problem

leave feedback

ask a question

Report a problem

Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

A link, button or video is not working

There is a spelling mistake

Information is missing, outdated or wrong

I can't find what I'm looking for

Another issue

You will not receive a reply. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

Tell us more about the problem you're having with the nidirect website.

Enter your feedback

What is your question about?

Choose a topic for your question:

What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit. Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme, email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about 60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly. We don't have access to information about you.

Extra comments (optional)