About the Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (2000) was passed on 30 November 2000 and came into force on 1 January 2005. It provides a general right of access to information held by a public authority and applies to all information held regardless of when it was recorded.

Key rights and obligations under the act

An individual:

• has the right to request information from the a public authority;
  
• has the right to be informed in writing whether the authority holds the information.

A Public Authority

• must maintain a publication scheme and publish information in accordance with this scheme;
• must respond to a request within 20 working days after receipt of the request or following clairifcation of the request if there is uncertainty or a lack of clarity about the information being requested.
• has a duty to provide reasonable advice and assistance to anyone making a request;
• may charge a fee for complying with a request;
• is not obliged to comply with a request if the costs involved exceed the appropriate limit in the fees regulations;
• must consider the application of any exemptions that apply to requests for specific types of information;
• if refusing a request must tell the applicant why and state which exemption is being used.