HM Courts and Tribunals Service Data Access Panel
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-14)

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service Data Access Panel (DAP) determines the outcome of data access requests for third party access to HMCTS data for research in the public interest.

Role of the Panel

The HMCTS Data Access Panel (DAP) is a decision-making body whose remit is third-party data access at HMCTS. Its objective is to determine access requests for Accessible data created in the operation of the Courts and Tribunals service of England and Wales, to the benefit of the public good.

The Panel considers issues such as the feasibility of the research, the availability and quality of the data, whether any privacy issues arise and the appropriate data governance checks. The Panel also takes an interest in applications for research which may align with the Ministry’s areas of research interest, or with gaps in our own evidence base.

Panel members

The Data Access Panel is chaired by HMCTS’ Head of Data Access Services Team.

The Panel includes representative from the following teams:
- HMCTS Information Assurance Team
- Operational Services
- HMCTS Information Asset Owners
- HMCTS Data, Analysis and Insight Team
- MoJ Data and Analytical Services Directorate
- HMCTS Strategy and User Insight
- MoJ Data Protection Specialist
- MoJ Information Services Division
- The Judicial Office
- MoJ Access to Justice Policy Directorate
- MoJ Judicial and Legal Services Policy Directorate
What types of requests can be made to the Data Access Panel?

This includes request to access:
- access de-identified administrative data through the Ministry of Justice Data First programme;
- aggregate case information – This includes aggregate management information from the HMCTS Case Management Systems;
- qualitative and quantitative data derived from court staff and users. Researchers seeking to interview court users may require judicial and other formal approvals, which are not guaranteed and depend on factors like research scope and court impact. Logistical challenges and privacy concerns may also limit or restrict access.
The panel decides whether to approve applications, based on the following considerations:
- who will be receiving the data
- what the data will be used for
- the feasibility of the project
- whether the project is aligned to the Ministry of Justice areas of research interest
- the lawful basis for processing personal data, if personal data is involved
- what governance arrangements are needed (for example a data sharing agreement)
- any potential disruption to HMCTS activities.
Who can apply to the Data Access Panel?

Applications to the Data Access Panel may come from a wide range of third-party users, including those in the public, private, and third sectors and academia. Third parties are individuals or legal entities that are not part of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), its agencies, or the judiciary.

Submitting a research proposal to the Data Access Panel

You can apply to access de-identified administrative data for research in the public interest through the Ministry of Justice Data First programme. Data is provided to researchers via the ONS Secure Research Service and the SAIL Databank and is shared under the Digital Economy Act 2017. Information on what data is available and how to apply to access the linked, de-identified datasets can be found here (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ministry-of-justice-data-first). Should you be interested in accessing this data, you can contact the Data First team at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Upon receiving an application, the Data First team will ensure it is feasible, ethical, and complies with data protection legislation. Upon review, the application will be presented to the Data Access Panel for approval. If the data access request includes HM Prisons and Probation Service data, it must be approved separately by the MoJ Data Access Governance Board.

You can apply to access aggregate case information for research in the public interest. Send a summary of your proposal to the Data Access Services Team at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

You can apply to access qualitative and quantitative data derived from surveys or interviews of court staff and users for research in the public interest. Researchers seeking to interview court users may require judicial and other formal approvals, which are not guaranteed and depend on factors like research scope and court impact. Logistical challenges and privacy concerns may also limit or restrict access. Send a summary of your proposal to the Data Access Services Team at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

This summary should include brief details of:
- the title of the research
- the purpose and scope of the research
- the data requirements and GDPR conditions for processing data
- which individuals and institutions would carry out the research, including any ONS research accreditation
- any funding or ethics approvals you’ve got - or any approvals you need to get
- any project timeline
The Data Access Services Team will work with you to establish whether the data is robust enough to answer key evaluation objectives.

When this process is complete, you’ll be able to make a formal application to the Data Access Panel using the appropriate application form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/moj-data-first-application-form-for-secure-access-to-data).

Guidance on how to complete the application form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/moj-data-first-application-form-for-secure-access-to-data) is also available on GOV.UK.

If the application is approved, the Data Access Services team will work with you to put in place the appropriate data governance (for example, a data sharing agreement). Then we’ll release the data to you.

We aim to process applications within 8 to 12 weeks. This can vary depending on the complexity of the request, and on whether there’s precedent for using the data in the way proposed.