Released Under
Investigation
What RUI (Released Under Investigation) means in England and Wales, how long it can last, what police do during the investigation, and what happens next.
Featured Definition
What Does Released Under Investigation Mean?
Released Under Investigation (RUI) means a person has been released from police custody without bail conditions and without a fixed return date while the police continue their investigation. It is a procedural status — not a charge, not a conviction, and not evidence of guilt.
Every year, thousands of people in England and Wales are arrested, interviewed by police, and then released — not charged, not on bail, but in a status known as Released Under Investigation. For many of them, it is the beginning of a period of profound uncertainty: no conditions to comply with, but also no date by which they will know the outcome of the case against them.
RUI became the dominant form of post-arrest release following reforms to the Bail Act 1976, introduced by the Policing and Crime Act 2017. Those reforms imposed new statutory time limits on police bail, making bailing a suspect more bureaucratically demanding. As a consequence, police forces across England and Wales increasingly opted for RUI as the default release mechanism — freeing suspects without the administrative overhead of bail management, but also without the clarity that bail's return dates had previously provided.
The result has been widely criticised. Suspects can find themselves in a legal limbo — released but not cleared, under investigation but given no timetable, entitled to resume their lives but uncertain whether an arrest, a charge, or a knock at the door might follow at any moment.
This guide explains exactly what RUI means under UK law, how long it can realistically last, what police are doing while a suspect is on RUI, and what the possible outcomes are. It also explains the specific questions that most people in this position want answered: whether they can travel, whether it will show on a DBS check, and whether they can find employment.
Section 01
What Does RUI Mean?
The legal status, what it involves, and what it does not involve.
When a person is arrested in England or Wales, they are brought into police custody and may be interviewed under caution. At the end of the custody period, the custody sergeant must decide what to do next. There are three primary options: charge the person and bring them before a court; release them on police bail with conditions and a return date pending further investigation; or release them under investigation — RUI — without conditions or a fixed return date.
RUI is fundamentally a procedural status. It tells the suspect that they are free to leave custody, that no charges have been made, and that the investigation is continuing. It does not tell them when the investigation will end, what the outcome will be, or what evidence police are examining. The suspect is under no legal obligation to report to a police station, to surrender any documents, or to comply with any movement restrictions unless separately ordered by a court.
Critically, being on RUI does not mean a person is guilty of anything. Investigations are often lengthy for reasons entirely unrelated to the strength of the case against a particular suspect — delays in digital forensics, complex financial evidence, large volumes of witness accounts, or the need for CPS legal advice can all extend an investigation significantly without reflecting on the likelihood of any eventual outcome.
Charged
Formal accusation; court date set
Police Bail
Released with conditions and a return date
RUI
Released — no conditions, no return date
RUI: What It Means in Practice
Released from custody
You are not detained. You leave the police station and return to normal life.
No charges made
No formal allegation has been put before any court.
Investigation ongoing
Police continue examining evidence, speaking to witnesses, and consulting the CPS.
No bail conditions
No curfews, exclusion zones, non-contact requirements or reporting conditions.
No return date
You are not required to return to a police station on a specified date.
Not evidence of guilt
RUI is a procedural status, not a finding of fact by any authority.
Section 02
Why Was RUI Introduced?
RUI did not exist as a formalised status before the Policing and Crime Act 2017. To understand why it was created, it is necessary to understand the problems that existed with police bail before reform.
Under the old system, police bail was effectively unlimited in duration. A suspect could be arrested, interviewed, released on bail, and — if the investigation was not complete — simply bailed again, and again, indefinitely. The concept of "pre-charge bail" attracted significant criticism from defendants, civil liberties organisations, and the judiciary.
High-profile cases, including the Metropolitan Police's investigation of public figures in the context of historical sexual offence inquiries, brought the issue to national attention. Suspects in those cases were placed on bail for periods lasting years — in some cases never subsequently charged — while restrictive bail conditions substantially disrupted their lives. The conditions in some cases included prohibitions on internet use, restrictions on movement, and requirements to surrender passports and travel documents.
Parliament responded by amending the Bail Act 1976. The 2017 reform introduced a presumption against pre-charge bail for most offences and imposed strict time limits on the duration of bail before independent review was required. The initial bail period was set at 28 days, extendable only with superintendent authority and eventually subject to court oversight.
The reform was well-intentioned. The unintended consequence was significant. Faced with the administrative complexity of managing bail under the new regime, many police forces defaulted to RUI as the path of least resistance — releasing suspects without bail, thereby avoiding the time limit and review requirements entirely. By removing the structure of bail and replacing it with RUI, the reforms arguably made the position of suspects worse in one important respect: they removed the certainty of a return date while also removing the judicial oversight that bail extensions had required.
Problems the 2017 Reform Aimed to Fix
Indefinite bail without review
Suspects could remain on bail for months or years under the pre-2017 system with no mandatory judicial oversight.
Restrictive conditions without charge
Bail conditions including curfews, non-contact orders, and passport surrender were applied to uncharged suspects for extended periods.
Administrative burden without structure
Forces were managing large 'bail populations' without clear frameworks for resolving cases within a reasonable time.
High-profile abuse of bail
Investigations into public figures had placed prominent individuals on bail for years before cases were dropped without charge.
The Unintended Consequence
By imposing time limits on bail, the 2017 reform made bail administratively burdensome. Forces responded by switching to RUI — which has no statutory time limit at all. Critics argue this has made the overall position of suspects worse: they lost the certainty of a return date while gaining only the absence of formal conditions.
Section 03
RUI vs Police Bail
A direct comparison of the two principal pre-charge release mechanisms in England and Wales.
| Feature | Police Bail | Released Under Investigation |
|---|---|---|
| Conditions | May include curfews, non-contact orders, exclusion zones, passport surrender, reporting requirements | None. No conditions of any kind are imposed on the suspect. |
| Return Date | Fixed return date set at point of release — suspect must return to station on that date | No return date. Suspect is not required to attend a police station unless contacted. |
| Statutory Time Limits | Initial 28-day limit. Extensions require superintendent authorisation. Court oversight required beyond 3 months in most cases. | No statutory time limit. Investigations may continue indefinitely subject only to general proportionality requirements. |
| Judicial Oversight | Required for extensions beyond initial periods. Magistrates must authorise extended bail in most cases. | No direct judicial oversight of the RUI status. Internal police review only. |
| Suspect Obligations | Must comply with all conditions. Breach of bail is a criminal offence. | No specific obligations other than general duties not to obstruct justice or interfere with witnesses. |
| Administrative Burden (Police) | High. Forces must track return dates, review conditions, apply for extensions. | Low. Investigation proceeds without bail management obligations. |
| Suspect's Position | Certain end-point (return date) but potentially restricted by conditions. | No restrictions but no certainty about timing or resolution of the investigation. |
Advantage of RUI for Suspects
No restrictive bail conditions. A suspect on RUI can travel, work, socialise and live normally without compliance obligations. For suspects with no intention of absconding or interfering with the investigation, RUI is substantively less burdensome than bail.
Disadvantage of RUI for Suspects
No certainty of timeline. A suspect on RUI has no legal entitlement to a decision by a specified date. Investigations can last months or years without any obligation on the police to update the suspect or bring matters to a conclusion within any statutory timeframe.
Section 04
Is There a Time Limit for RUI?
The direct answer — and what the law does and does not require.
The Legal Position
No Statutory Time Limit
There is no fixed statutory time limit for RUI in England and Wales. Unlike custody (24 hours, extendable to 36 or 96 hours in serious cases) and police bail (28-day initial period with structured extension requirements), RUI has no equivalent legislative deadline. The police are not required to resolve an RUI case by any particular date.
Article 6 ECHR — Right to a Fair Trial
Proportionality Requirement
While there is no statutory limit, investigations must remain proportionate and reasonable under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to a fair trial within a reasonable time. Excessive and unjustified delay in an investigation can also undermine a subsequent prosecution — courts may stay proceedings for abuse of process where delay has been extreme and prejudicial.
Typical RUI Investigation Timeline
Illustrative. Individual cases vary significantly depending on the nature of the offence and evidence involved.
Arrest and Interview
Suspect arrested, detained under PACE, interviewed under caution. At end of custody period, released under investigation. Suspect leaves custody with no conditions or return date.
Initial Evidence Gathering
Police gather and review the initial evidence: incident reports, CCTV, initial witness accounts. Early decisions made about what further enquiries are required.
Forensic and Digital Analysis Commissioned
Digital devices (phones, computers, tablets) submitted to forensic units. Physical forensics analysis requested where relevant. In many forces, backlogs mean digital analysis alone may take several months.
Witness Statements and Third-Party Evidence
Further witness statements obtained. Third-party records sought — financial records, telecoms data, medical records. International requests (through mutual legal assistance) may add significant delay in cross-border cases.
CPS Decision
Investigation file submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision. CPS applies the Full Code Test: sufficient evidence and public interest. CPS may return the file requiring further evidence. This stage can add months to an investigation even after police enquiries are complete.
Outcome Notified to Suspect
Suspect notified of outcome: NFA (No Further Action), charge, caution, or charge by postal requisition. Notification may be by phone, letter, or attendance at a police station.
Why Some Cases Last Longer
Digital forensics is one of the primary causes of extended RUI periods. Specialist forensic units face significant backlogs across all forces. A case involving multiple devices, encrypted data or large volumes of stored material may take six to twelve months for the forensic analysis stage alone. Complex fraud cases, historical allegations, and cases requiring expert witness evidence are also commonly associated with extended RUI periods. The investigation timeline reflects the complexity of the evidence, not the strength of the case against any particular individual.
Section 05
Why Police Choose RUI
Police must assess at the point of release whether pre-charge bail is necessary. If it is not — because there is no identified risk that the suspect will fail to attend court, commit further offences, or interfere with witnesses or evidence — RUI becomes the default outcome under the reformed bail framework.
The decision to use RUI rather than bail involves an operational assessment of risk. Bail conditions exist to manage specific risks associated with the suspect's behaviour. Where those risks are absent or negligible, bail conditions serve no protective function and add administrative burden with no benefit.
No witness interference risk
The suspect has no identified relationship with or means of contacting witnesses that would require management via bail conditions.
No flight risk
The suspect has strong community ties, a fixed address, employment, and no history of absconding. The risk of failing to appear is assessed as low.
Suspect is cooperative
Suspects who have attended voluntarily or provided comprehensive accounts in interview may be assessed as presenting a lower management risk.
Evidence requires third-party analysis
Where investigation progress depends on forensic or digital analysis that cannot be expedited, there is no operational benefit to bail conditions — the case timeline is determined by the analysis, not by the suspect's behaviour.
Complex evidence or large disclosure
In complex fraud or cybercrime enquiries, the volume of material requiring examination means a fixed bail return date is unrealistic. RUI allows the investigation to proceed at pace determined by the evidence rather than an artificial administrative deadline.
Offence Types Commonly Associated with RUI
Sexual offences — particularly historical allegations where forensic evidence requires specialist examination
Fraud and financial crime — large volumes of financial records, account data and digital evidence requiring analysis
Cybercrime — encrypted devices and large data volumes create extended forensic timelines
Serious violence — forensic ballistics, pathology and scene analysis may take months
Child sexual abuse imagery — specialist teams, large volumes of digital evidence, multi-force enquiries
What RUI Does Not Mean
The decision to use RUI rather than bail is primarily an operational and administrative one. It is not an indication of case weakness, suspect cooperation, or investigative priority. A serious, well-evidenced case may result in RUI simply because the forensic analysis is not yet complete.
Section 06
What Happens While on RUI?
What police do behind the scenes — and what is expected of the suspect.
The release of a suspect on RUI does not pause the investigation. It continues — in many cases, at the same pace — while the suspect resumes their normal life. The absence of a bail return date creates the impression that nothing is happening, but this is rarely accurate: investigation activity continues behind the scenes, subject to the practical constraints of forensic capacity and CPS availability.
Device Examination
ActivePhones, computers, tablets and other digital devices seized at arrest are submitted to specialist digital forensics units for examination. This typically includes extraction of call records, messages, browsing history, images and app data.
Forensic Analysis
ActivePhysical forensic evidence — DNA, fingerprints, fibres, ballistics — is submitted to forensic science providers. Backlogs and turnaround times vary but can take months for complex submissions.
Witness Statements
ActiveFurther witness accounts are obtained. Officers may take multiple accounts from different witnesses, seek statements from experts, and review any earlier inconsistencies.
CCTV and Communications Data
ActiveAnalysis of CCTV, ANPR, telecoms data and financial records continues. Third-party applications (telecoms companies, banks, social media platforms) are served with data requests under PACE.
CPS Legal Advice
PendingBefore charge, the investigation file is submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision. CPS evaluates the file against the Full Code Test: sufficient evidence and public interest.
What Is Expected of the Suspect
While on RUI, the suspect has no positive obligations to the police. They are not required to attend a police station, report to a specific address, or check in at any interval. They are, however, subject to the general criminal law — including prohibitions on witness intimidation, perverting the course of justice, and obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty.
Solicitors typically advise clients on RUI to continue to comply with any document production requests, avoid communication with witnesses, and continue to cooperate with any legitimate enquiries from the investigating officer.
Legal Advice
A person on RUI is entitled to legal representation throughout the investigation. A solicitor can contact the investigating officer to enquire about progress and anticipated timescales. While police are not obliged to update suspects, maintaining legal representation creates a formal channel for enquiries and ensures any decision to charge is immediately communicated.
Section 07
Can Police Re-Arrest You While on RUI?
Yes. Being on RUI does not grant immunity from re-arrest. Police retain the full power to arrest a person at any point while they are under investigation if the necessity criteria under PACE 1984 are satisfied.
Section 24 of PACE allows a constable to arrest without warrant where they have reasonable grounds to suspect an offence has been committed and there are reasonable grounds to believe the arrest is necessary for one of the specified necessity reasons. Those reasons include:
New material evidence
If forensic results, witness accounts or other evidence emerge that require the suspect to be interviewed again under caution about new matters, a further arrest may be made.
Further interview required
A voluntary interview can be requested in the first instance. However, if a suspect declines to attend voluntarily or if there are specific procedural reasons requiring formal arrest, police may arrest to facilitate interview.
Witness interference or obstruction
If evidence emerges that a suspect is attempting to contact or influence witnesses, or is taking steps to destroy or conceal evidence, arrest may become necessary to protect the investigation.
Safeguarding concerns
If new information gives rise to safeguarding concerns — for example, in cases involving children or vulnerable individuals — arrest may be necessary to protect those at risk even before the original investigation is complete.
The PACE Necessity Test
A re-arrest, like any arrest, must satisfy the necessity test under PACE. A constable cannot arrest simply because they want to speak to someone — there must be grounds for believing that the purposes of the investigation cannot be achieved without formal arrest. Voluntary attendance is always preferred where there is no necessity ground for arrest.
Voluntary Attendance as an Alternative
In many cases where police need to interview a suspect again during an RUI period, they will first approach them (usually through their solicitor) to request a voluntary interview. A voluntary interview is conducted under caution and has the same evidential weight as an interview following formal arrest. It avoids the detention process and is often preferred by both the police and the suspect.
Suspects should always attend voluntary interviews accompanied by a solicitor and should not attend alone unless they have received specific legal advice that doing so is appropriate.
Section 08
Can You Travel While on RUI?
The straightforward answer is: generally yes. RUI carries no bail conditions, and there is no legal restriction on movement or travel imposed by the RUI status itself. A person on RUI is legally free to travel domestically and, in most cases, internationally.
There is, however, a critical practical exception: the passport. If a suspect's passport was seized at the point of arrest or search — either as evidence relevant to the investigation or under other powers — it will be retained by the police. The RUI status does not automatically secure the return of a passport that has been seized as evidence.
If your passport has been retained, you should seek legal advice about applying for its return through the relevant police property recovery process or, if necessary, through a formal property application to the court. This is an entirely separate process from the RUI status and requires separate legal steps.
No travel ban
RUI alone does not restrict where you can travel within the UK or internationally.
Passport may have been seized
If retained as evidence, a separate application for return is required — the RUI status does not secure its automatic release.
Consider practical risks
If you intend to travel internationally during an RUI period, ensure your solicitor is aware and can be contacted in the event of any development.
Court orders may apply separately
If a civil court has made orders (e.g. family law orders restricting foreign travel) that are separate from the criminal investigation, those orders still apply regardless of the RUI status.
Important Practical Consideration
Some countries conduct criminal record and pending proceedings checks on entry. A person subject to an active UK police investigation may encounter questions at immigration in a small number of jurisdictions, particularly those with close law enforcement data-sharing agreements with the UK. This is uncommon, but individuals travelling to destinations with more rigorous entry checks should seek specific advice from their solicitor beforehand.
If Your Passport Has Been Retained
Contact your solicitor to request the return of your passport through the investigating officer. If the police decline to return it voluntarily, a formal property application may need to be made under PACE Schedule 1. This is a separate legal process that does not affect the RUI status itself.
Section 09
Does RUI Show on a DBS Check?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions by people on RUI, and the direct answer is: no — not under standard DBS checks, and not automatically under any DBS check.
RUI is not a conviction, a caution, a reprimand, a warning, a charge, or a finding of guilt. It is a procedural status indicating that a police investigation is ongoing. Standard and basic DBS checks disclose criminal convictions and cautions — neither of which exist in an RUI situation.
An enhanced DBS check, which is required for roles working with children or vulnerable adults, may include what is known as "relevant police information" disclosed at the discretion of the relevant chief constable. This can theoretically include information about ongoing investigations in exceptional circumstances. However, the disclosure of such information is subject to strict proportionality criteria and guidance. It is uncommon, and the information would need to be considered relevant to the role applied for and proportionate to disclose.
Basic DBS Check
Does not disclose RUIOnly discloses unspent convictions. RUI is not a conviction.
Standard DBS Check
Does not disclose RUIDiscloses spent and unspent convictions and cautions. RUI is neither.
Enhanced DBS Check
Unlikely — but possible in exceptional casesMay include relevant police information at chief constable's discretion. Disclosure must be proportionate and relevant.
Important Practical Context
An enhanced DBS disclosure of RUI-related police information is reserved for circumstances where there is a genuine and substantial reason to believe the information is relevant to the specific role. A disclosure decision of this nature would typically only be considered in roles involving direct unsupervised access to children or highly vulnerable adults, and the decision is subject to internal governance review. Blanket disclosure of all RUI activity through enhanced DBS is not policy or practice.
If You Are Concerned
If you are applying for a role that requires a DBS check while on RUI, you should seek legal advice about the specific facts of your situation. If an enhanced DBS disclosure is made that you believe is disproportionate or inaccurate, you have the right to challenge it through the DBS's dispute resolution process.
Section 10
Can You Get a Job While on RUI?
The legal position is clear: RUI does not prevent you from working or seeking employment. It is not a conviction, not a caution, and not a judicial finding of any kind. There is no legal restriction on employment arising from an RUI status.
The practical position is more nuanced. Most employers have no means to discover that a potential employee is subject to an active RUI unless that information is disclosed voluntarily or through a DBS check process (considered in Section 9 above).
For regulated sector roles — policing, financial services, legal practice, healthcare, teaching, social work, and others — specific disclosure obligations may apply. These vary by sector and role. Some regulated roles require disclosure of any pending or active criminal proceedings. Whether RUI triggers this obligation depends on the specific wording of the disclosure requirement and the regulatory framework of the sector. Legal advice specific to the relevant regulatory regime is essential before making disclosure decisions in regulated sectors.
Most Employment
No issueRUI does not appear in standard hiring processes and creates no legal barrier to employment.
Enhanced DBS Roles
Seek adviceAn enhanced DBS check may (rarely) include relevant police information. Seek legal advice for roles working with children or vulnerable adults.
Regulated Financial Services
Check FCA requirementsFCA 'fit and proper' tests may require disclosure of pending criminal investigations. Seek advice from compliance counsel.
Policing / Law Enforcement
Disclosure likely requiredForces typically require disclosure of any ongoing criminal investigation. Failure to disclose may constitute misconduct.
Legal Practice (Solicitors / Barristers)
Check SRA / BSB requirementsRegulatory bodies may require notification of ongoing investigations. Seek independent legal advice immediately.
The Difference Between Investigation and Conviction
Employers who become aware of an active RUI through legitimate means are not permitted to treat an investigation as equivalent to a conviction. The presumption of innocence applies in criminal proceedings and, as a matter of general principle, in employment contexts. Dismissal or refusal of employment based solely on the existence of an uncharged investigation would be legally precarious in most circumstances and may give rise to employment tribunal claims.
Section 11
What Happens After RUI?
The possible outcomes and how suspects are notified.
No Further Action (NFA)
The most positive outcome. Police submit the investigation file to the CPS, who assess it against the Full Code Test. If there is insufficient evidence or it is not in the public interest to prosecute, the case is closed with NFA and the suspect is informed. NFA does not mean the suspect was innocent — it means the standard of proof or the public interest test was not met. The investigation is closed and cannot be reopened unless significant new evidence emerges.
How You Are Notified
Letter, phone call, or contact through solicitor.
Caution
A caution is a formal warning administered by police, with the consent of the suspect, where the suspect accepts guilt. It is a criminal record and will appear on DBS checks. A caution avoids criminal conviction and a court appearance but is not appropriate where a suspect denies the offence or where the offence is too serious. Simple cautions and conditional cautions are different instruments — conditional cautions require the suspect to complete specified conditions before the matter is resolved.
How You Are Notified
Suspect attends a police station to receive the caution formally.
Charge
Where the CPS advises that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest, the suspect is charged. Charge initiates criminal proceedings before a court. The suspect will either be summonsed to appear in court by postal requisition, or will be required to attend a police station to be formally charged and either remanded in custody or bailed to appear at court on a specified date.
How You Are Notified
Postal requisition (postal summons to court) or attendance at police station.
How Suspects Are Notified
There is no legal obligation on police to provide progress updates to suspects on RUI during the investigation. Most suspects learn of the outcome only when the investigation is complete. Notification may come by telephone, letter, or through the suspect's solicitor. In charge cases, a postal requisition — a document requiring attendance at court — may be the first formal notification. Maintaining consistent legal representation throughout an RUI period is the most effective way of ensuring early notification and adequate preparation time for any court proceedings.
Section 12
Psychological Impact of RUI
The psychological and personal consequences of RUI have been consistently underestimated in public and legislative debate about pre-charge release. While the absence of restrictive conditions is superficially advantageous, the absence of any temporal certainty can be profoundly damaging to suspects, their families, and their communities.
RUI places a person in a condition of indefinite uncertainty. They know they are under investigation. They do not know when it will end, what the outcome will be, or what information police are examining. They cannot plan their lives with confidence because the status may change at any moment. They may face professional consequences from employers or regulators who become aware of the investigation. They may experience social stigma in their communities.
Mental health research consistently identifies uncertainty as a primary driver of anxiety and depression. The combination of potential consequences — criminal conviction, loss of employment, reputational harm — and the complete absence of a timeline is psychologically distinctive. Unlike a suspect who has been charged (whose next court date provides a point of orientation), a person on RUI has no such point of reference.
Career implications are particularly acute for those in regulated professions. Solicitors, police officers, teachers, healthcare professionals and others may face regulatory consequences or professional practice restrictions during a prolonged RUI period even before any charge is made — simply because their employer or regulator becomes aware that they are under investigation.
Identified Consequences
Sustained anxiety about investigation outcome and timeline
Disruption to career planning and professional development
Social withdrawal to avoid questions or disclosure
Relationship strain — partners and families share the uncertainty
Financial stress from legal fees and potential employment impact
Stigma — community knowledge of an investigation can precede any formal charge
Why This Matters Legally
Courts have recognised that inordinate delay in criminal proceedings can be an abuse of process. In extreme cases, where delay has been grossly disproportionate and has caused serious prejudice to the defendant, courts have stayed proceedings entirely. While this is an exceptional remedy, it underlines that the legal system does not treat indefinite investigation as an acceptable norm.
Section 13
Criticism and Reform
RUI has attracted increasing criticism from legal practitioners, civil liberties organisations, parliamentary committees, and the courts. The primary criticism is structural: by creating a release mechanism with no statutory time limit and no judicial oversight, the 2017 bail reforms inadvertently produced a worse outcome for suspects than the pre-reform system in terms of temporal certainty.
The Law Society
Has highlighted that RUI can leave suspects in an indefinite limbo without access to a timely resolution. Recommended that RUI should be subject to statutory time limits similar to those applied to pre-charge bail.
Criminal Bar Association
Noted the absence of judicial oversight in RUI situations and the practical difficulty for defendants in challenging an indefinite investigation status through any formal mechanism.
House of Commons Home Affairs Committee
Examined the use of RUI following the Policing and Crime Act 2017 and found evidence that forces were using RUI to avoid bail time limit requirements rather than because it was the operationally appropriate choice.
National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC)
Subsequently issued guidance to forces encouraging a return to the use of pre-charge bail where it is the operationally appropriate decision, rather than defaulting to RUI simply because it involves less administrative process.
Current Direction of Reform
The National Police Chiefs' Council guidance following the first wave of criticism directed forces to reconsider their default position on RUI and to use bail — with its statutory framework and judicial oversight — where it is the appropriate mechanism. More recently, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 made further amendments to the bail framework, simplifying extension procedures and lowering the threshold for use of pre-charge bail, with the aim of encouraging forces back towards bail as the primary pre-charge release mechanism. The practical impact of these reforms on RUI usage rates continues to be monitored.
Section 14
Common Misconceptions About RUI
"RUI means the case against me is weak or likely to be dropped"
This is incorrect. The decision to use RUI rather than bail reflects operational considerations about risk management, not the strength of the evidence. Many serious, well-evidenced cases result in extended RUI periods simply because forensic analysis or CPS review takes time. RUI provides no indication of the likely outcome of the investigation.
"RUI means charges are definitely coming"
Also incorrect. RUI means only that the investigation is ongoing. The most common outcome in many categories of investigation is No Further Action — the case is closed without charge. Studies across various force areas have consistently found that a significant proportion of RUI cases result in NFA rather than charge.
"You cannot travel while on RUI"
Incorrect. RUI carries no conditions and imposes no travel restriction. Unless your passport has been separately seized as evidence, you are free to travel domestically and internationally. This is one of the clearest practical differences between RUI and pre-charge bail, which may include a condition requiring surrender of travel documents.
"RUI will definitely show up on background checks and employment checks"
Incorrect for standard and basic DBS checks, which disclose only convictions and cautions. RUI is neither. An enhanced DBS check may in rare circumstances include relevant police information, but this is subject to strict proportionality criteria and is not automatic. Most employment background checks will not reveal an RUI.
"There is nothing you can do to move the investigation forward"
Not entirely true. A solicitor can make enquiries with the investigating officer about the anticipated timeline and progress of the case. While police are not obliged to provide updates or meet artificial deadlines, proactive legal engagement can sometimes help identify whether there are avoidable delays and, in extreme cases, form the basis for a complaint or judicial review challenge.
"RUI is a new concept that didn't exist before 2017"
Police have always had the power to release suspects without charge and without bail conditions. What changed in 2017 was not the concept of unconditional release, but the legislative presumption against pre-charge bail and the administrative incentives that made RUI the preferred operational option. The formalisation of the term 'Released Under Investigation' post-2017 gave a recognised label to a practice that already existed in various forms.
Section 15
Authority FAQ
Direct answers optimised for search. Each answer is self-contained and factually grounded.
What does Released Under Investigation mean?
Released Under Investigation (RUI) means you have been released from police custody without bail conditions and without a fixed return date while the police continue to investigate. You have not been charged and are not required to report to a police station unless contacted.
How long can RUI last?
There is no fixed statutory time limit for RUI in England and Wales. Some investigations conclude in weeks; others, particularly those involving digital forensics or complex fraud, can last many months or over a year. Investigations must remain proportionate under Article 6 ECHR.
Can police drop a case after RUI?
Yes. One possible outcome of RUI is No Further Action (NFA), where police decide not to charge or caution the suspect. This can occur where evidence is insufficient, the public interest does not require prosecution, or the CPS advises against charge.
Can you travel while on RUI?
Generally yes. RUI carries no bail conditions, so there is no legal restriction on travel or movement. However, if your passport was retained as evidence during arrest, you would need to apply for its return through the police or court before travelling abroad.
Does RUI show on a DBS check?
RUI is not a conviction and will not appear on a standard or basic DBS check. An enhanced DBS check may include relevant police information at the chief constable's discretion, but this is uncommon and subject to strict relevance criteria.
Can you get a job while on RUI?
Yes. RUI is not a conviction and does not legally prevent you from working. Most employers have no means to discover an active RUI unless you are required to disclose it under specific regulated sector rules. Legal advice is recommended for sensitive or regulated roles.
Can police re-arrest you while on RUI?
Yes. Police retain the power to re-arrest a person on RUI if new evidence emerges, a further interview is required, or if arrest is necessary to prevent obstruction or protect a witness. Any re-arrest must still satisfy the PACE necessity test.
What is the difference between RUI and police bail?
Police bail involves a fixed return date and may include restrictive conditions such as curfews or non-contact orders. RUI has no conditions and no return date. Bail has statutory time limits requiring judicial oversight for extensions; RUI has no equivalent statutory limit.
Section 16
Statutory and Legal Framework
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
The primary legislation governing police powers of arrest, detention and investigation. Sections 24–28 govern the power to arrest. The custody provisions (ss. 34–52) govern detention periods and the conditions of custody. PACE provides the framework within which both police bail and RUI operate.
Bail Act 1976
The foundational statute governing bail in England and Wales. Sets out the right to bail, the exceptions to bail, and the framework for conditional bail. The Policing and Crime Act 2017 significantly amended the Bail Act to introduce the presumption against pre-charge bail and the statutory time limits that effectively drove the expansion of RUI.
Policing and Crime Act 2017
The legislation that formally introduced the bail time limits and presumption against pre-charge bail that led to the widespread adoption of RUI as an alternative release mechanism. Sections 52–67 contain the pre-charge bail provisions that came into force in 2017.
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
Made further amendments to the bail framework in response to criticism of the 2017 reforms, lowering the threshold for bail and simplifying extension procedures. Intended to encourage forces back towards the use of pre-charge bail where appropriate, rather than defaulting to RUI.
European Convention on Human Rights — Article 6
The right to a fair trial within a reasonable time. Article 6 applies to the determination of criminal charges and, in some circumstances, to prolonged criminal investigations. Courts have awarded damages and stayed proceedings in cases of extreme or unjustified delay.
Crown Prosecution Service Charging Guidelines
The CPS applies the Full Code Test before advising or authorising charge: (1) is there a realistic prospect of conviction? and (2) is prosecution in the public interest? The CPS Director's Guidance sets out when cases must be referred to the CPS for a charging decision rather than being charged directly by police.
Conclusion
What You Need to Know
Released Under Investigation is a procedural status — not a charge, not a conviction, and not an indicator of guilt. It means a police investigation is continuing while the suspect has been returned to liberty without conditions or a fixed return date. It is a direct consequence of the bail reform agenda introduced by the Policing and Crime Act 2017, and it has created a class of suspects who exist in a state of unresolved legal uncertainty that can last months or, in complex cases, well over a year.
The key practical points for anyone on RUI are these. There is no statutory time limit, but investigations must remain proportionate. You are free to live, work, and in most cases travel normally. RUI will not appear on standard DBS checks and does not prevent employment in most sectors. You can be re-arrested if new evidence or a new necessity ground arises. The investigation will conclude in one of three ways: No Further Action, a caution, or a charge.
Maintaining legal representation throughout an RUI period is the single most effective step a suspect can take. A solicitor can monitor the investigation, make enquiries about progress, ensure that any decision to charge is immediately communicated, and provide advice about the specific implications of RUI for employment, regulated professional status, or international travel in the individual's particular circumstances.
RUI is
A procedural status — not a finding of guilt
Investigation must be
Proportionate and reasonable under Article 6 ECHR
Outcomes include
NFA, caution, or charge — each notified differently
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Authority guides on arrest, detention and criminal procedure in England and Wales.