In this Part of this Act “personal records” means documentary and other records concerning an individual (whether living or dead) who can be identified from them and relating—
(a)to his physical or mental health;
(b)to spiritual counselling or assistance given or to be given to him; or
(c)to counselling or assistance given or to be given to him, for the purposes of his personal welfare, by any voluntary organisation or by any individual who—
(i)by reason of his office or occupation has responsibilities for his personal welfare; or
(ii)by reason of an order of a court has responsibilities for his supervision.
Cases considering section 12 3
[2020] EWHC 182 (Fam) · 4 February 2020Limits
The judgment records the submission that spiritual counselling was among the confidential material protected under the Act, but does not accept that analogy as establishing protection for the investigative material sought.
[2014] EWHC 1541 (Admin) · 15 April 2014Defines
Section 12 defines personal records by reference to records concerning an identifiable individual and relating, among other matters, to physical or mental health. The court used that definition to explain why medical or psychiatric reports might fall within excluded material. (see paras [9], [44])
[2013] EWHC 2189 (Admin) · 20 June 2013Defines
The judgment notes the statutory definition of personal records when explaining the excluded-material regime, but the definition was not independently determinative of the warrants (see para [26]).
What each judgment says about section 12 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.