ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the Research Ethics Committee (REC) system in the UK, with special reference to the responsibilities that RECs have to attend to legal requirements generally, and data protection laws in particular, when they review research proposals. RECs have operated in the UK National Health Service (NHS) since the mid-1960s. Until 2004 there were two kinds of NHS RECs—local research ethics committees (LRECs) and multicentre research ethics committees (MRECs). The UK Courts have historically proven reluctant to hold public authorities liable in negligence for their actions, although current case law shows that this is beginning to change. In addition, the Department of Health published its Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care (RGF) in 2001. The latter document also gives guidance to RECs, and there are similar framework documents for Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish RECs.
