law

[Escutcheon]

Is it legal to tape meetings without the consent of those present please and what is the source of that information?
Thanks.

[Ethel]

What is the context? Who is doing the taping and where?

What is the relationship between the parties?

What is intended to be done with the recordings?

[Ethel]

This is a fairly recent case where it was held that the employee's covert recording of a disciplinary meeting was allowable evidence at the tribunal:

http://www.lawyerhelp.co.uk/legal/2007/02/27/c overt-recordings-of-disciplinary-meetings-with -an-employer/

[Escutcheon]

A member of the public at an Open Meeting is taping procedings for personal use> Can this be done without the consent of the meeting in general?

[Ethel]

I don't think there is a straightforward yes or no answer.

She may be able to provided she has no intention of divulging the recording to any third party.
Or if she has a disabliltiy that necessitates the recording - perhaps profoundly deaf and needs it transcribing.

If there is a clearly visible notice stating 'recording in any form of this meeting is not allowed' then that should be enough to stop it.

[Escutcheon]

Thank you Ethel. I will pass on the suggestion.

[bednobs]

personally i cant see the difference between taping a meeting and making notes at a meeting, yet no-one would question making notes. Is it an organisations meeting? Perhaps someone could write a policy that pertains to public behavior at meetings

[bednobs]

personally i cant see the difference between taping a meeting and making notes at a meeting, yet no-one would question making notes. Is it an organisations meeting? Perhaps someone could write a policy that pertains to public behavior at meetings

[flyciderman]

Could be that if you are at public meeting then anything you say so open, however if you were to recording a private conversation then you could expect that to say private.

[gouldc]

My understanding (given the billions of courses in Data Protection I've had to attend) was that it's not illegal to record a conversation without someone's permission (unless you're going to use it to blackmail, or publish without their consent the contents of said conversation).

In our call centre section, there is a recorded message that all calls are recorded before the caller gets through. This way the call is admissable as evidence in court - obviously Ethel's link shows a newer ruling, but again, every individual case is taken at it's own merit.

I've recorded family get togethers (covertly) for my family tree research - obviously this is personal use and will not be published, but I have gleaned info that would not really be appreciated if it got out. I think it will depend on your motivation for taping the event really

[Escutcheon]

Thanks to all who replied. It is a Parish Council and the obvious answer would be for them to tape the meetings so that Minutes can be verified without the need for anyone else to do it!
Happy New Year to all.
BAJ