Commentary on Sections Complaints Handling – the new system Section 152: Disclosure of restricted information
372.This section makes exceptions to section 151. First, one restricted person (i.e. the OLC, an ombudsman or a member of the OLC’s staff – see section 151(2)) may disclose restricted information to another restricted person (section 152(1)). Second, restricted information may be disclosed for the purposes of the investigation in the course of which, or for the purposes of which, it was obtained (section 152(2)); and third, restricted information may be disclosed for a variety of specific and limited purposes listed in section 152(3), with the possibility (section 152(3)(g)) of additional purposes being added by order made by the Lord Chancellor.
373.The section also confers on the Lord Chancellor a power to make an order preventing the disclosure of information in circumstances or for purposes prescribed in the order.