Average wait time for Disclosure Scotland to review applications: FOI release

Information requested

What the average wait time for a review is, what external partners are dealt with on average with each application and when people are chased for updates for this.

Response

When processing applications for Level 2 disclosures Disclosure Scotland may require to contact external organisations, which may include:

• ACRO Criminal Records Office for EU checks
• The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
• UK law enforcement bodies, including Police Scotland

Engagement with external organisations can introduce delays meaning that Disclosure Scotland is unable to complete an application within target timescale. In such cases, decisions on when to follow up with external organisations are made on a case-by-case basis.

From 1 April 2025, Level 2 disclosure applicants can ask Disclosure Scotland, acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers, to review whether certain convictions should be included in their disclosure. When an applicant applies for a review, Disclosure Scotland must invite them to provide representations within 28 days to help it reach a decision. Disclosure Scotland may also request information about reviewable conviction(s) from other organisations such as the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service to help inform its decision.

Between 1 April 2025 and 24 November 2025, the average processing time for Disclosure Scotland to complete a review was 30 working days.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.