Define: Redaction

Redaction in law refers to the process of editing or obscuring sensitive or confidential information from legal documents, such as court records, contracts, or government documents, before they are disclosed to third parties or the public. The purpose of redaction is to protect the privacy, security, or confidentiality of certain information, such as personal identifying details, trade secrets, classified information, or privileged communications between attorneys and clients. Redacted documents typically have portions of text or images blacked out or obscured to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure of sensitive information while still allowing the remaining content to be shared or used for its intended purpose. Redaction is often carried out by legal professionals or authorised personnel using specialised software or techniques to ensure compliance with legal requirements and protect sensitive information from being improperly disclosed.

The act of going over a document with a fine-toothed comb in order to find any ambiguities or areas that are not to your advantage.

This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.