Public Interest Test

From FOIwiki
Jump to navigationJump to search

rqONVH <a href="http://phtjbgvfcgdh.com/">phtjbgvfcgdh</a>, [url=http://ttfdclmmbgtv.com/]ttfdclmmbgtv[/url], [link=http://hpfdqjlqwvgj.com/]hpfdqjlqwvgj[/link], http://cuiajonkdzrv.com/

6gXKCF <a href="http://jrohgorwufrm.com/">jrohgorwufrm</a>, [url=http://qudgzfssgfrw.com/]qudgzfssgfrw[/url], [link=http://bckwtoyzlxar.com/]bckwtoyzlxar[/link], http://xkqsfmokipib.com/

Scottish FOISA guidelines

Paraphrased from the SIC guidance:

  • The public interest is not defined in FOISA but has been described as "something which is of serious concern and benefit to the public"
  • The "public" in this context does not necessarily mean the entire population. It might relate to a relatively localised public (e.g. a small community or interest group) or to the wider public at large.
  • The Section 60 Code of Practice gives advice to public authorities on applying the test
  • The Section 60 Code notes that the following factors should not be taken into account when applying the public interest test.
  • possible embarrassment of government or other public authority officials;
  • the seniority of persons involved in the subject matter;
  • the risk of the applicant misinterpreting the information.
  • possible loss of confidence in government or other public authority
  • The complexity of the information is not a valid reason for withholding information

EIR guidelines

tbc

EIR Scotland guidelines

The public interest test is similar to that in section 2(1)(b) of the FOISA. Under the EIRs, a Scottish public authority may only refuse to make environmental information available if the public interest in making it available is outweighed by that in maintaining the relevant exception.

However, regulation 10(2)(b) builds in a presumption in favour of disclosure which means that where arguments are evenly balanced for withholding and disclosing the information, the information must be disclosed.

Scottish Information Commissioner guidance.

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - What the law says

2 Effect of the exemptions in Part II
(1) Where any provision of Part II states that the duty to confirm or deny does not arise in relation to any information, the effect of the provision is that where either—
(a) the provision confers absolute exemption, or
(b) in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exclusion of the duty to confirm or deny outweighs the public interest in disclosing whether the public authority holds the information,

section 1(1)(a) does not apply.

(2) In respect of any information which is exempt information by virtue of any provision of Part II, section 1(1)(b) does not apply if or to the extent that—
(a) the information is exempt information by virtue of a provision conferring absolute exemption, or
(b) in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Freedom of Information Act 2000.