Precedents may provide guidance, but should be used cautiously. Archives New Zealand holds copies of earlier approved authorities, so always check these for relevant appraisal decisions to ensure consistency in the treatment of records across a public office.  Disposal Authorities are available online in Archway.

Describe any relevant precedents that have informed the appraisal process and support particular recommendations. Important points to consider are:

• is it a relevant precedent? Previous appraisals of the same series are not always relevant – e.g. a central correspondence system where only part of the system was previously appraised, not including the files in the current appraisal. Briefly mention such examples as evidence of research into precedent, particularly if no relevant precedent exists
• how old is the precedent? As previous decisions age, their applicability is likely to diminish.

Try to:

• keep this section concise
• if you do not think a precedent is useful, do not use it
• attach copies of any precedents used as appendices.

Try not to:

• include lists of sources checked and discarded unless they are particularly important or show major changes in decisions over time.