Freedom of Information Act 2000: Difference between revisions
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! Exemption | ! Exemption | ||
! absolute / qualified | ! absolute / qualified | ||
! MoJ guidance | |||
! ICO guidance | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[FOIA_Section_12_Exemption|Section 12]]: Exemption where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit | |[[FOIA_Section_12_Exemption|Section 12]]: Exemption where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit | ||
|Absolute | |Absolute | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/foi-step-by-step-fees.htm link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/practical_application/usingthefeesregulations.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[FOIA_Section_21_Exemption|Section 21]]: Information Accessible By Other Means | |[[FOIA_Section_21_Exemption|Section 21]]: Information Accessible By Other Means | ||
|Absolute | |Absolute | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s21.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/awareness_guidance_6_-_information_reasonably_accessible_to_the_applicant_by_other_means.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section22|Section 22]]: Information Intended For Future Publication | |[[Section22|Section 22]]: Information Intended For Future Publication | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s22.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/awareness_guidance_7_-_information_intended_for_future_publication.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section23|Section 23]]: Information Supplied by, or Related to, Bodies Dealing with Security Matters | |[[Section23|Section 23]]: Information Supplied by, or Related to, Bodies Dealing with Security Matters | ||
|Absolute | |Absolute | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s23.pdf link] | |||
|N/A | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section24|Section 24]]: National Security | |[[Section24|Section 24]]: National Security | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s24.pdf link] | |||
|N/A | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section26|Section 26]]: Defence | |[[Section26|Section 26]]: Defence | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s26.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/awareness_guidance_10_-_the_defense_exemption.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section27|Section 27]]: International Relations | |[[Section27|Section 27]]: International Relations | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s27.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/awareness_guidance_14_-_international_relations.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section28|Section 28]]: Relations Within The United Kingdom | |[[Section28|Section 28]]: Relations Within The United Kingdom | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s28.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/relationswithintheuk.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section29|Section 29]]: The Economy | |[[Section29|Section 29]]: The Economy | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s29.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/theeconomy.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section30|Section 30]]: Investigations And Proceedings Conducted By Public Authorities | |[[Section30|Section 30]]: Investigations And Proceedings Conducted By Public Authorities | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s30.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/section_30_investigations_13_oct_06.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section31|Section 31]]: Law Enforcement | |[[Section31|Section 31]]: Law Enforcement | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s31.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/section_31_law_enforcement_13_oct_06_v2.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section32|Section 32]]: Court Records | |[[Section32|Section 32]]: Court Records | ||
|Absolute | |Absolute | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s32.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/awareness_guidance_9_info_contained_in_court_records.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section33|Section 33]]: Audit Functions | |[[Section33|Section 33]]: Audit Functions | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s33.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/awareness_guidance_18_-_public_audit.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section34|Section 34]]: Parliamentary Privilege | |[[Section34|Section 34]]: Parliamentary Privilege | ||
|Absolute | |Absolute | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s34.pdf link] | |||
|N/A | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section35|Section 35]]: Formulation Of Government Policy | |[[Section35|Section 35]]: Formulation Of Government Policy | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s35.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/formulationofgovernmentpolicy.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section36|Section 36]]: Prejudice to Effective Conduct of Public Affairs | |[[Section36|Section 36]]: Prejudice to Effective Conduct of Public Affairs | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s36.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/effectiveconductofpublic%20affairs.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section37|Section 37]]: Communications With Her Majesty, With Other Members Of The Royal Household, And The Conferring By The Crown Of Any Honour Or Dignity | |[[Section37|Section 37]]: Communications With Her Majesty, With Other Members Of The Royal Household, And The Conferring By The Crown Of Any Honour Or Dignity | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s37.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/awareness_guidance_26_-_communications_with_her_majesty_and_the_awarding_of_honours.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section38|Section 38]]: Health And Safety | |[[Section38|Section 38]]: Health And Safety | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s38.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/awareness_guidance_19_-_health_and_safety.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section39|Section 39]]: Environmental Information | |[[Section39|Section 39]]: Environmental Information | ||
|Qualified - EIR applies, and all EIR exemptions are subject to a PIT | |Qualified - EIR applies, and all EIR exemptions are subject to a PIT | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s39.pdf link] | |||
|N/A | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section40|Section 40]]: Personal Information | |[[Section40|Section 40]]: Personal Information | ||
|For 3rd party info - neither - depends on 'fairness' test of DPA. For own information, this is an absolute exemption | |For 3rd party info - neither - depends on 'fairness' test of DPA. For own information, this is an absolute exemption | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s40.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/personal_information.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section41|Section 41]]: Information Provided In Confidence | |[[Section41|Section 41]]: Information Provided In Confidence | ||
|Absolute | |Absolute | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s41.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/confidentialinformation_v4.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section42|Section 42]]: Legal Professional Privilege | |[[Section42|Section 42]]: Legal Professional Privilege | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s42.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/legal_professional_privilege.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section43|Section 43]]: Commercial Interests | |[[Section43|Section 43]]: Commercial Interests | ||
|Qualified | |Qualified | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s43.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/awareness_guidance_5_v3_07_03_08.pdf link] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Section44|Section 44]]: Prohibitions On Disclosure | |[[Section44|Section 44]]: Prohibitions On Disclosure | ||
|Absolute | |Absolute | ||
|[http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-exemption-s44.pdf link] | |||
|[http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/awareness_guidance_27_-_prohibitions_on_disclosure.pdf link] | |||
|} | |} | ||
Revision as of 18:25, 10 May 2009
Introduction
This section of the wiki provides more details on the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
- The law applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland only.
- Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 applies in Scotland
Name and Address
- You don't need to provide a real name, a pseudonym is acceptable.
- The ICO state that a pseudonym does not automatically result in a request being vexatious.
- You need to provide "an address for correspondence". This means that either an email address OR a physical address is required.
- The ICO have confirmed this recently, in response to correspondence with Rother District Council who originally insisted on a physical address being provided for all FOI requests.
How to make a request
Any person can make a request under the Act - there are no restrictions on your age, nationality, or where you live.
All you have to do is write to (or email) the public authority that you think holds the information you want. You should make sure that you include:
- your name & and address where you can be contacted
- a description of the information that you want
You can make a request to public authorities using the WhatDoTheyKnow web site, the site lists over 2,000 UK public authorities.
Timelines
Public authorities have 20 working days to send you the information you've requested. There are a few rules and exemptions to this:
- The clock starts the working day after you make your request. If you request on a Friday, the clock starts from Monday.
- The authority should reply back to you within 20 working days
- UK Bank Holidays are excluded from the working day calculation
- If the authority needs to clarify your request, the 20-day clock won't start until they have received the full clarifications they need to identify and locate the information.
- If the authority needs to charge fees to retrieve information, the 20-day clock stops when they tell you this, and won't start again until the cheque you've sent has cleared
- The authority can "reasonably" extend the time required, eg to consult third parties, or to apply a Public Interest Test. If they do this, they should send you a Section 17 Refusal Notice.
- There are a few other special cases where they can extend the deadlines:
Special cases - Section 10(4) of the Act provides for an extension to the 20 working days timescale, up to 60 working days, to be made by statutory instrument. So far, four cases have been identified for such treatment:
| |
MoJ Guidance. |
Part I
Exemptions guidance
The table below shows the FOIA exemptions, including whether they are absolute exemptions or qualified exemptions subject to a Public Interest Test.
Exemption | absolute / qualified | MoJ guidance | ICO guidance |
---|---|---|---|
Section 12: Exemption where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit | Absolute | link | link |
Section 21: Information Accessible By Other Means | Absolute | link | link |
Section 22: Information Intended For Future Publication | Qualified | link | link |
Section 23: Information Supplied by, or Related to, Bodies Dealing with Security Matters | Absolute | link | N/A |
Section 24: National Security | Qualified | link | N/A |
Section 26: Defence | Qualified | link | link |
Section 27: International Relations | Qualified | link | link |
Section 28: Relations Within The United Kingdom | Qualified | link | link |
Section 29: The Economy | Qualified | link | link |
Section 30: Investigations And Proceedings Conducted By Public Authorities | Qualified | link | link |
Section 31: Law Enforcement | Qualified | link | link |
Section 32: Court Records | Absolute | link | link |
Section 33: Audit Functions | Qualified | link | link |
Section 34: Parliamentary Privilege | Absolute | link | N/A |
Section 35: Formulation Of Government Policy | Qualified | link | link |
Section 36: Prejudice to Effective Conduct of Public Affairs | Qualified | link | link |
Section 37: Communications With Her Majesty, With Other Members Of The Royal Household, And The Conferring By The Crown Of Any Honour Or Dignity | Qualified | link | link |
Section 38: Health And Safety | Qualified | link | link |
Section 39: Environmental Information | Qualified - EIR applies, and all EIR exemptions are subject to a PIT | link | N/A |
Section 40: Personal Information | For 3rd party info - neither - depends on 'fairness' test of DPA. For own information, this is an absolute exemption | link | link |
Section 41: Information Provided In Confidence | Absolute | link | link |
Section 42: Legal Professional Privilege | Qualified | link | link |
Section 43: Commercial Interests | Qualified | link | link |
Section 44: Prohibitions On Disclosure | Absolute | link | link |
Who is subject to the Freedom of Information Act?
Publication Schemes + ICO / Information Tribunal guidance
How the Act came about
The Labour Party's 1997 manifesto contained the following commitment: "Unnecessary secrecy in government leads to arrogance in government and defective policy decisions. The Scott Report on arms to Iraq revealed Conservative abuses of power. We are pledged to a Freedom of Information Act, leading to more open government, and an independent National Statistical Service."