Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002: Difference between revisions

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This Act covers Scottish public authorities.  Also known as FOISA.
This Act covers Scottish public authorities.  Also known as FOISA.


The law differs slightly from the UK FOI Act. Main differences:
The law differs slightly from the {{ukpga|2000|36|UK FOI Act}}. Main differences:
* Scottish test for public interest is stated in terms of "substantial prejudice" rather than "prejudice" making it stronger
* Scottish test for public interest is stated in terms of "substantial prejudice" rather than "prejudice" making it stronger
* FOISA imposes a stricter time limit in cases where public interest has to be considered.  
* FOISA imposes a stricter time limit in cases where public interest has to be considered - the total time for the request must by within 20 days, including the consideration of the [[Public Interest Test|public interest test]].  
* FOISA contains explicit mention of disability access rights
* FOISA contains explicit mention of disability access rights
* FOISA lists the duties incumbent on a body which does not have the information requested
* FOISA lists the duties incumbent on a body which does not have the information requested
* FOISA provides for an objective test (rather than "the reasonable opinion of a qualified person") to determine if the public interest means information should be withheld.
* FOISA provides for an objective test (rather than "the reasonable opinion of a qualified person") to determine if the public interest means information should be withheld.
==Scottish public authorities==
We have several lists of Scottish public authorities:
* A [[FOISA Schedule I - Public Authorities‎|comprehensive list of all the public authorities covered by FOISA]] in Schedule I of the Act
* A [[FOISA Section 5|list of public authorities designated under Section 5 of FOISA]]
* A separate [[FOISA Section 6 - Wholly owned companies|list of public authorities covered by Section 6 of FOISA]] (ie wholly owned companies[http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&Year=2002&number=13&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=599972&ActiveTextDocId=599982&filesize=2647]) is also available.
== Legislative information ==
{{Legislation|Type=asp|Year=2002|Number=13|SLD number=599972|Short title=Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002}}


== Links ==
== Links ==


* Official legislation text: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2002/plain/asp_20020013_en
* Scottish Information Commissioner: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/ScottishInformationCommissioner.asp
* Scottish Information Commissioner: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/ScottishInformationCommissioner.asp


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The exemptions are similar to the UK FOI exemptions.  There are differences in the numbering system however, so check carefully under which law the public authority has responded.
The exemptions are similar to the UK FOI exemptions.  There are differences in the numbering system however, so check carefully under which law the public authority has responded.


Exemption 25 Information otherwise accessible
*[[FOISA Section 14 Exemption|Section 14]] Vexatious or repeated requests
Exemption 26 Prohibitions on disclosure
*[[FOISA_Section_25_Exemption|Section 25]] Information otherwise accessible
Exemption 27 Information intended for future publication
*[[FOISA_Section_26_Exemption|Section 26]] Prohibitions on disclosure
Exemption 28 Relations within the United Kingdom
*[[FOISA_Section_27_Exemption|Section 27]] Information intended for future publication
Exemption 29 Formulation of Scottish Administration policy etc.
*[[FOISA_Section_28_Exemption|Section 28]] Relations within the United Kingdom
Exemption 30 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs
*[[FOISA_Section_29_Exemption|Section 29]] Formulation of Scottish Administration policy etc.
Exemption 31 National security and defence
*[[FOISA_Section_30_Exemption|Section 30]] Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs
Exemption 32 International relations
*[[FOISA_Section_31_Exemption|Section 31]] National security and defence
Exemption 33 Commercial interests and the economy
*[[FOISA_Section_32_Exemption|Section 32]] International relations
Exemption 34 Investigations by Scottish public authorities and proceedings arising out of such investigations
*[[FOISA_Section_33_Exemption|Section 33]] Commercial interests and the economy
Exemption 35 Law enforcement
*[[FOISA_Section_34_Exemption|Section 34]] Investigations by Scottish public authorities and proceedings arising out of such investigations
Exemption 36 Confidentiality
*[[FOISA_Section_35_Exemption|Section 35]] Law enforcement
Exemption 37 Court records, etc.
*[[FOISA_Section_36_Exemption|Section 36]] Confidentiality
Exemption 38 Personal information
*[[FOISA_Section_37_Exemption|Section 37]] Court records, etc.
Exemption 39 Health, safety and the environment
*[[FOISA_Section_38_Exemption|Section 38]] Personal information
Exemption 40 Audit functions
*[[FOISA_Section_39_Exemption|Section 39]] Health, safety and the environment
Exemption 41 Communications with Her Majesty etc. and honours
*[[FOISA_Section_40_Exemption|Section 40]] Audit functions
*[[FOISA_Section_41_Exemption|Section 41]] Communications with Her Majesty etc. and honours

Latest revision as of 15:36, 3 March 2016

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

This Act covers Scottish public authorities. Also known as FOISA.

The law differs slightly from the UK FOI Act. Main differences:

  • Scottish test for public interest is stated in terms of "substantial prejudice" rather than "prejudice" making it stronger
  • FOISA imposes a stricter time limit in cases where public interest has to be considered - the total time for the request must by within 20 days, including the consideration of the public interest test.
  • FOISA contains explicit mention of disability access rights
  • FOISA lists the duties incumbent on a body which does not have the information requested
  • FOISA provides for an objective test (rather than "the reasonable opinion of a qualified person") to determine if the public interest means information should be withheld.

Scottish public authorities

We have several lists of Scottish public authorities:

Legislative information

  • To link to this legislation, try {{asp|2002|13}}.
  • Short title: Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
  • Legislation ID: asp/2002/13

Links

Exemptions

The exemptions are similar to the UK FOI exemptions. There are differences in the numbering system however, so check carefully under which law the public authority has responded.

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