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What is Clare’s Law?

‘Clare’s Law’, which is also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), was named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend in 2009. The scheme was introduced as a police policy, giving individuals the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse.

There are two elements to the scheme- the ‘Right to Ask’ and the ‘Right to Know’.

The ’Right to Ask’ means an individual or relevant third party can ask the police to check whether a current or ex-partner has a violent or abusive past.

The ‘Right to Know’ enables the police to make a disclosure on their own initiative if they receive information about the violent or abusive behaviour of a person that may impact on the safety of that person’s current or ex-partner.

Who has the right to ask?

If you have concerns about your partner or ex-partner, because you believe you are personally at risk of abuse and you think they might have a record of abusive behaviour or violence, you can use Clare’s Law.

However, you do not have to be the person in a relationship or a past relationship with a concerned person to use Clare’s Law. You can ask on behalf of a friend, family member, neighbour or colleague if you think they may be at risk from a current or ex-partner. However, the police may not necessarily disclose any information to you. The police may decide it is more appropriate to share the information with person affected directly, or with someone who is more able to protect their safety.

You have a right to ask the police no matter if your enquiry relates to a heterosexual or same-sex relationship, if you are aged 16 or older. You also have the right to ask about a partner regardless of your gender identity, ethnicity, race, religion or other characteristics.

Will the police always give me the information?

For the police to give the information requested out, it must meet 3 criteria- it must be considered ‘lawful’, ‘proportionate’ and ‘necessary’. This will be considered based on a credible risk of violence or harm. The police must first decide whether it is appropriate to disclose your partner’s confidential records as part of your DVDS application. If there is enough to suggest that you may be at risk, then the police will make a collective decision on what information to disclose to you. Information is not limited to physical abuse, as Clare’s Law disclosure takes into account different definitions of domestic abuse, including psychological and/or emotional abuse, physical and sexual abuse, financial or economic abuse, harassment and stalking and online and digital abuse.

How will the information be disclosed?
If you are applying on your own behalf, then the police will disclose any information directly to you, usually in person. If you’re applying on behalf of someone else, the disclosure might be made to you, or to the person affected, depending on your relationship with them and your ability to keep them safe. 
If your partner is not known to the police, or if police checks suggest that there isn’t a threat to your safety then the police will tell you so. In this case, they are not required to share any disclosure with you or anyone else.

When might I need Clare’s Law?

Knowing about the existence of Clare’s Law is very important. Clare’s Law is in place to keep individuals safe and make them aware of information which could end up saving their lives. You may never need the services Clare’s Law provides, however knowing about the scheme means you could help someone close to you by making them aware too, or you may need to make an application for them in the future.

I'd like to make an application- what do I do?

You can make a Clare’s Law application by visiting a police station in person, calling 101 to request an application, applying online via the police website (, or asking a support agency to apply on your behalf, with the process kept private.

How can BULAC help me?

Once you have been disclosed information through Clare’s Law, you may have concerns to address, such as divorcing your partner or sorting child arrangements. We will be able to explain the steps you can take, and what options are available for you going forward. Please contact us at 01248 388411 or email bulac@bangor.ac.uk to make an appointment.

Your safety is paramount, please call 999 if there is an immediate risk to safety.