We take great care to listen to and understand the needs of our clients. We try to avoid legal jargon and explain the legal process in a straightforward way. If you would like to know more about how we can help, please get in touch so we can discuss your case.

Show Site Navigation

Human rights case defends privacy of medical records

Court rules that an application to see someone’s medical records against their will would be a breach of their human rights. The case was won by Sean Humber, human rights lawyer at Leigh Day & Co.

Medical records

17 June 2004

Specialist human rights solicitor, Sean Humber, recently acted for a client who was unhappy about the application by a third party for a court order which would force his doctors to release his medical records without his permission. The third party argued that they needed to see our client’s medical records in their investigation of a personal injury claim which was being brought by another member of our client’s family against them.

European Convention on Human Rights

The judge rejected the application for the court order, which he described as ‘unique and novel’. He said the disclosure of the records would be a breach of our client’s rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects our right to respect for a private and family life.   

Sean Humber said: “It is pleasing that the Court has upheld an individual’s right to keep his or her medical records private and recognised that the disclosure of this information, without the person’s permission, would amount to a breach of human rights.”

The case was A-v-X and B(non party).

Information was correct at time of publishing. See terms and conditions for further details.

Information was correct at time of publishing. See terms and conditions for further details.

Share this page: Print this page

Our Expertise

Human rights

Who worked on this case

Sean Humber

Specialist Area

Access to information