Status: We intend to start a scoping project on data sharing between public bodies in late 2012. There will be a consultation process during summer 2013, with a final report late in the same year
There are persistent reports that public bodies have difficulty in sharing data, which prevents them from fulfilling their duties to citizens.
There seem to us to be three reasons why this may be the case. First, there may be barriers in the substantive law which unduly restrict data sharing between public bodies. Secondly, even if the law allows for sharing, it could be that the law is so unclear that it is easy to misunderstand and misapply, creating perceived barriers to data sharing. Therefore, there is something wrong with the form of the law – the way it is expressed. Thirdly, it may be that there is simply a gap in education, guidance and advice on the law.
