Freedom of information

• When did the Freedom of Information Act come into force?

  2005
• What is the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act?

  To provide public access to information
• How many public authorities are referenced in the Freedom of Information Act?

  About 100,000
• What does Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act state about public authorities?

  It lists bodies and organizations but not definitions
• Are courts and tribunals covered by the Freedom of Information Act?

  No, they are not covered
• What must public bodies produce according to the Freedom of Information Act?

  Publication schemes
• Where are publication schemes usually published?

  On their website
• What do disclosure logs contain?

  Details of requests and their outcomes
• How long do authorities have to respond to requests in England?

  20 working days
• What is necessary for making effective requests?

  Requests need to be precise
• What is a key consideration when handling requests?

  Consulting third parties
• What must be considered when giving advice on requests?

  Public interest must be considered
• What are qualified exemptions in the context of the Freedom of Information Act?

  Exemptions subject to public interest tests
• What are absolute exemptions?

  Exemptions not subject to public interest tests
• What is one example of an absolute exemption?

  Parliamentary privilege
• What authority is required to conduct an internal review of a request?

  The authority that received the request
• What does the Information Commissioner do?

  Investigates whether information should be disclosed
• Where can appeals against the Information Commissioner's decision be made?

  To the Information Tribunal
• What is the Environmental Information Regulations 2005?

  It implements a European directive
• Which companies are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act?

  Privatized water and sewerage companies
• What is a key difference between the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations?

  EIR has stricter deadlines for information
• How do qualified exemptions differ from absolute exemptions?

  Qualified exemptions require public interest tests
• What is the significance of the term "vexatious" in requests?

  Requests can be refused if deemed vexatious
• What type of information might be protected under absolute exemptions?

  Information related to intelligence services
• What is the role of the High Court in relation to Information Tribunal decisions?

  To appeal on points of law
• What is one type of document that may be exempt from disclosure?

  Trade secrets
• What is the relationship between the Freedom of Information Act and public health?

  Public health information may be disclosed
• What is the significance of the term "breach of confidence" in the context of the Act?

  It can prohibit disclosure of certain information
• What does the term "auditing effectiveness" refer to in the context of public authorities?

  Evaluating how well public authorities operate
• What is the purpose of the "qualified exemptions" in the Freedom of Information Act?

  To protect sensitive information while allowing access
• How does the Freedom of Information Act relate to public interest?

  It balances transparency with protecting sensitive data
• What is the significance of "consulting third parties" in the request process?

  It ensures all relevant interests are considered
• What does "public interest" mean in the context of the Freedom of Information Act?

  It refers to the welfare of the general public
• What is the role of the Information Commissioner in the context of the Freedom of Information Act?

  To oversee compliance with the Act
• What is the purpose of the publication scheme?

  To outline what information is held and published
• What is the significance of "environmental information" in the context of the Act?

  It is subject to specific regulations for access
• What does "internal review" mean in the context of the Freedom of Information Act?

  Reviewing a request's handling by the authority
• What is the significance of "appeals" in the context of the Freedom of Information Act?

  They allow for challenging decisions made
• What does "vexatious" mean in the context of information requests?

  Requests that are deemed harassing or excessive
• What is the role of the High Court regarding the Information Tribunal?

  To hear appeals on legal points