These Rules enable the Department to establish procedures to allow privileged access to information contained in court files.

The Rules enable the Department to impose specific conditions to determine information eligible for release under the Rules. The Rules place a duty on the Department to consult relevant authorities i.e. the Northern Ireland Office, the Department of Justice and the public authorities that transferred the files to the Public Record Office within which the requested information is contained.

The Rules set out the criteria a person must fulfil to be eligible to receive information under the Rules, the process for application and the conditions applicable to information released under these Rules. The Rules make provision for applicants to apply for a review of a decision to withhold information contained in a court file. The Department may recall any information issued under these Rules.