Details
The Criminal and Investigative Case Retention Schedule sets out the retention periods and disposal requirements for criminal casework and investigative records held by COPFS. It provides clear guidance on how long records must be retained following the conclusion of proceedings or investigations, ensuring that information is managed consistently and remains available to support legal, operational and business requirements.
The schedule covers a range of criminal and investigative record types, including High Court, Sheriff Court, death investigations and Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) records. It also identifies where records should be reviewed, securely destroyed or selected for permanent preservation, supporting compliance with legal obligations, effective records management practices and the preservation of records with historical or evidential value.