An introduction to Freedom of Information presented by Clive Bonny  

An introduction to
Freedom of Information
presented by Clive Bonny FOI – the basics
The three main statutes:
• The Freedom of Information Act 2000
• Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs)
• Data Protection Act 1998
Presented by Clive Bonny
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FOI – the basics
The FOIA:
• Covers 100,000 public authorities
• Retrospective
• Enforced by Information Commissioner
Feb 14 2013
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FOI – the basics
Part 1, s.1:
Any person making a request for information to a public authority is entitled—
• (a) to be informed in writing by the public authority whether it holds information of the description specified in the request, and
• (b) if that is the case, to have that information communicated to him.
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FOI – the basics
Everyone has two basic rights:
– What do you have?
– May I see it?
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FOI – the basics
Public authorities’ main obligations:
• Provide information proactively via publication scheme
• Provide information in response to requests: – confirm or deny what information they hold
– disclose it within 20 working days
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FOI – the basics
• Public authorities should follow Codes of Practice:
– section 45: access to information
‐ section 46: records management
• Breaches allow Information Commissioner to intervene
• Applies to all info held at the time of the request, including that held on the organisation’s behalf • Destruction of records is criminal offence
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FOI – the basics
Information Commissioner
• Public watchdog for FOIA, Data Protection Act and Environmental Info Regs
• Has duty to promote good practice and observance of legislation
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FOI – the basics
Information Commissioner
• Hears appeals against non‐disclosure. Has powers to order disclosure and uphold non‐
disclosure of disputed information
• Can issue practice recommendations, information notices, decision notices and enforcement notices
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FOI – the basics
Information Commissioner
Practice recommendations
• Issued under s.48 if Commissioner believes breach of the s.45 code of practice
• Must be in writing and refers code breaches
• Cannot be enforced by IC, but failure to comply may be considered breach of FOIA www.freedomofinformation.co.uk
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FOI – the basics
Information Commissioner
• Decision notices, issued under s.50, adjudicate on appeals
• Information notices, s.51, issued if IC requires further information to make decision
• Enforcement notices, s.52 issued for non‐
compliance
• Failure to comply can be contempt of court www.freedomofinformation.co.uk
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FOI – the basics
Reasons for refusing requests: • Cost to the public authority exceeds £450
• Vexatious or repeated requests
• Exemptions www.freedomofinformation.co.uk
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FOI ‐ process
Action plan:
Appoint FOI ‘champion’
Establish project team and manager
Training and internal communications
All staff must know how to recognise info requests
• Records management
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FOI ‐ process
What is an information request?
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In writing
Contain correspondence address
Applicant can use false name and address
Good practice to treat all inquiries as info requests
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FOI ‐ process
Information recording:
• Do remember everything written could become public
• Don’t express opinions where not required
• Do introduce an email policy
• Don’t mix the serious with the trivial
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FOI ‐ process
Recording requests
Record each request:
• Details of every stage, eg when corresponded, advice given, how resolved
• Excel generally sufficient
• Recording important if appeal to IC www.freedomofinformation.co.uk
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FOI ‐ process
Publication schemes
Remember:
• Keep regularly updated
• Ensure that it’s easy to understand what info it contains
• Ensure that it contains as much advice and assistance as possible
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FOI ‐ process
Publication schemes
Benefits of regular updating:
• Proactive publication saves time and costs
• Helps organisation’s reputation for openness and public engagement
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FOI ‐ Exemptions
Main points
• They are discretionary • They don’t forbid disclosure
• Three types: – Absolute – Qualified (public interest test): Class
– Qualified (PI test): Prejudice test
• Also apply to duty to confirm or deny
• Always check IC’s guidance www.freedomofinformation.co.uk
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FOI ‐ Exemptions
Absolute, ie no public interest test
Relevant ones:
• Info accessible by other means s.21
• Personal information s.40 (NB: also qualified)
• Confidential info: disclosure could lead to actionable breach of confidence s.41
• Prohibited (other laws, EU obligation, contempt of court) s.44
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FOI ‐ Exemptions
Qualified exemptions
• Subject to public interest test
• Two types:
– Class: public interest test only
– Prejudice: two tests www.freedomofinformation.co.uk
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FOI ‐ Exemptions
Qualified exemptions
Class: • Material intended for future publication s.22
• Investigations and proceedings by public authorities (confidential sources) s.30
• Environmental information s.39
• Personal information s.40
• Legal professional privilege s.42 www.freedomofinformation.co.uk
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FOI ‐ Exemptions
Qualified exemptions
Prejudice test:
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Law enforcement s.31 The effective conduct of public affairs s.36
Health and safety s.38
Commercial interests s.43
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FOI ‐ Exemptions
Public interest test Public interest is served when access to the information would: • Further the understanding of, and participation in, issues of the day
• Facilitate the accountability and transparency of public authorities for decisions taken by them
• Facilitate accountability and transparency in the spending of public money
• Allow individuals to understand and, in some cases, challenge decisions made by public authorities • Bring to light information affecting public safety.
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FOI ‐ Exemptions
Public interest test
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Public interest not what interests the public
Applies only to UK transparency Private interests are not relevant
Arguments must be relevant to the exemption
Complexity and potential for public misunderstanding do not justify withholding www.freedomofinformation.co.uk
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FOI ‐ Exemptions
Public interest test • Public interest in revealing full picture not just a partial, spun one
• Must be plausible concerns
• Might be in public interest in showing that concerns are unjustified
• Other avenues of scrutiny do not weaken public interest case
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FOI ‐ Exemptions
Prejudice test
•Information Commissioner: “prejudice = harm”
• Difficult because wording is “would, or would be likely to, prejudice…”
•Request can’t be refused on basis of prejudice alone
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FOI ‐ EIRs
Main similarities to FOIA:
• General right of access
• Enforced by Information Commissioner
• Request handling, advice & assistance, form & format
• Publication schemes
• Appeals process
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FOI ‐ EIRs
Main differences to FOIA:
• Covers info held on behalf of others
• No provision for refusing vexatious or repeated requests, or for aggregation, but can refuse if “manifestly unreasonable”
• Must make info progressively available
• Requests need not be in writing
• No explicit duty to confirm or deny, although implicit in duty to give reasons for refusal
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FOI ‐ EIRs
Main differences to FOIA:
• Other prohibitions on disclosure are disapplied
• Info must be provided as quickly as possible, maximum 20 working days
• Absolute limit 40 working days, but only if “complex and voluminous” (not PI test)
• Charging
• No absolute exemptions: all require public interest test www.freedomofinformation.co.uk
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FOI ‐ EIRs
Main differences to FOIA:
• No absolute exemptions: all require public interest test • Harm test: “would adversely affect” rather than “would, or would be likely to, prejudice…”
Presented by Clive Bonny
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