Police Surveillance and Information Gathering: Powers and Remedies (From Civil Actions Against the Police, P 271-294, 1987, Richard Clayton and Hugh Tomlinson -- See NCJ-120296)

• NCJ Number: 120302
• Author(s): R Clayton; H Tomlinson
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 24 pages
• Sale Source: Sweet and Maxwell
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

The limitations imposed by British law on police surveillance and information gathering activities are discussed, along with remedies for the abuse of these police powers.

Abstract

Privacy rights, as defined by common law in the United States and Britain, are compared. The breach of confidence doctrine is discussed in relation to trade secrets, marital secrets, and artistic confidences. Common law treaty and statutory limitations on police surveillance are outlined, as are the possible abuses to confidential information contained in police computers and files. The provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984 as they relate to personal data and remedies for the breach of protection are also discussed. 107 footnotes.