Reading Room Document

Disclosure of Grand Jury Materials to Attorneys in the Civil Division for Use in Civil Proceedings

The document discusses the question of whether grand jury materials or information derived from grand jury materials may be disclosed to attorneys in the Civil Division for use in civil proceedings without a court order. The conclusion reached is that Rule 6(e)(3)(A)(i) permits grand jury materials or information derived from them to be disclosed to attorneys in the civil division for use in civil proceedings without court order. The document also presents a word of caution regarding the potential misuse of grand jury materials for civil purposes and suggests that if there is a genuine need for disclosure during the pendency of the grand jury investigation, steps should be taken to ensure that the civil interests of the Government do not shape the direction of the criminal grand jury investigation.

January 26, 1979