recording conversations - legal or not

[Ottinmeg]

Does anyone know the laws about recording a conversation without the other persons knowledge. Is it legal or not ?

basic outline, my neighbour (we have history ) came round this evening around half seven and had a go at my 16 yr old daughter, who was alone at the time to complain about our dogs 'constantly' barking. My lab is 9 and sleeps most of the time and only used to bark if someone knocked on the door. five weeks ago we got a puppy who gets a bit lairy and the lab will bark at him which we stop as quickly as possible.This happens once a day maybe twice.it is no way excessive. i text him after my daughter called me to tell me what had happened and he text back saying i could listen to the recording as she had fabricated stuff so i asked him if he got her permission to record the conversation and also pointed out that at 16 she is still a child... he very quickly backtracked and said his phone was already on as he was trying to contact me (he never phones just sends texts,of which i keep )and his phone recorded the convo which anyone with a brain cell in there head would know is bull as phones don't record conversations when you are using them to text someone (unless it has a major malfunction ) my daughter also said she never saw his mobile so he obviously came round with the voice recorder ready to roll. i'd like to know the law regarding this as he may grow a pair over night and actually come and take the issue up with me once he has informed the council. local MP,the police and social services.
Harrassment laws i can probably find online somewhere..

 

[bonny]

Sorry but what's it got to do with the police etc, sounds to me like a neighbour dispute that would be better sorted out by talking to eachother. Things get so out of proportion if you let them, is it really worth it ?

 

[the watcher]

There are laws controlling how evidence (ie voice recordings) is gathered by investivative agencies (RIPA) but this doesn't apply to private individuals, although the rule of thumb applies that evidence gathered in this way would rarely be admissible in any investigation/enquiry.

Doing what he did is a major breach of trust and in your shoes I would be telling him that the result is that he will not be responded to in future if he knocks on your door and that he is not welcome on your property at all - because it sounds as though your relationship with him has completely broken down.

Of course it would be better all round if there is no excuse or reason for him to complain

 

[jhoward]

I think your find the law is you have to advise the person your recording that your doing it .. this said they do it on watchdog etc all the time

as for the fone, I can do a recording and send a text.. I have a all singing/dancing fone but im guessing in this day and age its not that uncommon,

i can also set a video recording then go and do other stuff to..

 

[horsegirl]

Does it really matter that he recorded the conversation? He must have had reason to do so and presumably there is something on there that is not good? Are you sure he didn't mean he had recorded the dogs barking?

 

[Clippy]

I believe he can't play the recording back in Court BUT he can transcribe it and use it as part of his evidence, though you can still dispute it.