This Practice Note provides guidance on what, if any, collateral or subsequent use can be made of documents disclosed during the course of civil proceedings and witness statements. This is often referred to as the ‘collateral purpose rule’ and permission is sought under cpr 31.22 and CPR 32.12 in respect of witness statements. It also offers guidance on how you can seek to obtain permission collaterally to use disclosed documents and how you can seek to prevent disclosed documents being used for any purpose other than the proceedings in which they were disclosed. It also considers the use of documents disclosed in other proceedings in subsequent civil proceedings.

This Practice Note should be read in conjunction with:

1. •

   Disclosure—overview

2. •

   Inspection—overview

3. •

   Privilege—overview

For information on:

1. •

   the use of documents disclosed in criminal investigations or proceedings, in subsequent civil proceedings, see Practice Note: Civil fraud—frequently asked questions (FAQ)—What if there are parallel civil and criminal fraud proceedings?

2. •

   non-party access to court documents, see Practice Note: Non-party access to court documents and information