Open Justice and Access to Court Records in The Archives

Abstract This article by Dr Charlotte Smith , of The National Archives, begins by articulating the importance and character of open justice. It then examines how this is evidenced in the justice system, before exploring the factors shaping its implementation within the archives. It does this through a treatment of third-party access to court records. It concludes by identifying questions that the justice system and archives might consider when developing the archival policy and practice applicable to archived court records.