What are third-party records and why are they important?

Céline Dostaler

Third-party records are documents containing personal information about the victim or a witness connected to your case. They are something the person likely assumes will never be made public, since the information is often of a personal nature. Examples of third-party records are:

  • notes taken by a counsellor, therapist, psychologist or doctor;
  • hospital records;
  • records from a child welfare or social service agency;
  • records from an employer or school;
  • the victim’s personal journals; and
  • in certain cases, emails and other online correspondence.

In some sexual assault cases, the accused may want to access those records as evidence, believing the information may be relevant to their defence. To read more, click here.