Making a request
For a request to be valid under the FOIA, the following criteria
must be met:
- The request must be made in writing.
- It must contain a return address (this can be an email
address).
- It must clearly identify the information being sought.
- Can be made by an individual or an organisation from anywhere
in the world.
What is covered by the Freedom of Information Act:
- Covers information not data or documents.
- Covers information in any format, no matter how it is
recorded.
Vexatious Requests
Public authorities are not obliged to comply with a request for
information if the request is vexatious. This can be considered as
any request which would impose a significant burden on the public
authority in terms of expense or distraction and meet at least one
of the following criteria:
- The request has no serious purpose or value.
- The request is designed to cause disruption or annoyance.
- The request has the effect of harassing the public
authority.
- The request can be characterised as obsessive or manifestly
unreasonable.
There is no obligation to comply with a request if it is
identifiable or substantially similar to a request from the same
person or group or body, apparently acting in concert (campaign
request), unless a reasonable interval has lapsed between
compliance with the previous request and the making of the current
request. The reasonable interval may be defined as 60 working
days.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is ‘applicant blind';
decisions taken to refuse a request are based on the actual
questions concerned. Further information is available from the
Information Commissioners' website.
Personal Information
Personal information (i.e. information regarding yourself or a
third party) is exempt under the FOIA. However, if you are
requesting information we hold about yourself, you can apply for a
Subject Access Request under the Data Protection
Act 1998.