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'Civil proceedings' certainly comprises legal action (other than criminal proceedings) before a court or tribunal; it is possible that in some circumstances a wider meaning may be indicated, to include, for example, some forms of regulatory enforcement measures, but much will depend on the circumstances and on the terms of any regulatory regime involved.
The 'prejudice' must be to the civil proceedings themselves, but there is no need to give that an artificially narrow interpretation. It is capable, for example, of applying to prejudice to the authority's position in such proceedings.
The proceedings must arise, directly or indirectly, out of an investigation. The investigation, in turn, must have been conducted for one of the "purposes".
It should be noted, therefore, that the civil proceedings themselves do not have to be for one of the "purposes" - though that in practice may be likely. For example the proceedings may be the result of an investigation for one of the purposes. Having ascertained that an individual has improperly disclosed sensitive information to journalists, a public authority may seek to restrain publication of that material by a breach of confidence action.
The investigation must have been conducted either
Both the civil proceedings and the investigation may be undertaken either by the authority itself, or by another body on the authority's behalf.
This provision has potential to overlap with s.31(1)(c) (the administration of justice) and with sections 32 (court records) and 42 (legal professional privilege). The general public interest considerations likely to be engaged are therefore those relating to the administration of justice and the proper conduct of legal proceedings.