FOIA Section 12 Exemption

Exemption where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit

1.3.1 Section 12 of the FOI Act allows public authorities to refuse to answer requests for information if the cost of complying would exceed the "appropriate limit" prescribed in the Regulations.
DCA Guidance.

Appropriate limits

• Central government departments: £600
• Other departments: £450

• The list of Central Government deparments is listed in Schedule 1 Part 1 of the FOI Act

Rules on calculating costs

• aggregation of similar requests you've made
• DCA guidance: http://www.dca.gov.uk/foi/practitioner/feesguidance.htm

Requirement to provide advice and assistance

• ICO: http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/awareness_guidance_23_-_advice_and_assistance.pdf
• Code of Practice: http://www.dca.gov.uk/foi/reference/imprep/codepafunc.htm

Charging fees

• Code of Practice: http://www.dca.gov.uk/foi/reference/imprep/codepafunc.htm