View source for Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

== Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 ==

This Act covers Scottish public authorities.  Also known as FOISA.

The law differs slightly from the {{ukpga|2000|36|UK FOI Act}}. Main differences:
* Scottish test for public interest is stated in terms of "substantial prejudice" rather than "prejudice" making it stronger
* FOISA imposes a stricter time limit in cases where public interest has to be considered - the total time for the request must by within 20 days, including the consideration of the [[Public Interest Test|public interest test]]. 
* FOISA contains explicit mention of disability access rights
* FOISA lists the duties incumbent on a body which does not have the information requested
* FOISA provides for an objective test (rather than "the reasonable opinion of a qualified person") to determine if the public interest means information should be withheld.

==Scottish public authorities==
We have several lists of Scottish public authorities:
* A [[FOISA Schedule I - Public Authorities‎|comprehensive list of all the public authorities covered by FOISA]] in Schedule I of the Act
* A [[FOISA Section 5|list of public authorities designated under Section 5 of FOISA]]
* A separate [[FOISA Section 6 - Wholly owned companies|list of public authorities covered by Section 6 of FOISA]] (ie wholly owned companies[http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&Year=2002&number=13&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=599972&ActiveTextDocId=599982&filesize=2647]) is also available.

== Legislative information ==
{{Legislation|Type=asp|Year=2002|Number=13|SLD number=599972|Short title=Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002}}

== Links ==

* Scottish Information Commissioner: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/ScottishInformationCommissioner.asp

* Guidance on FOISA exemptions: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/Law/FOISA-EIRsGuidance/Briefings.asp

== Exemptions ==

The exemptions are similar to the UK FOI exemptions.  There are differences in the numbering system however, so check carefully under which law the public authority has responded.

*[[FOISA Section 14 Exemption|Section 14]] Vexatious or repeated requests 
*[[FOISA_Section_25_Exemption|Section 25]] Information otherwise accessible
*[[FOISA_Section_26_Exemption|Section 26]] Prohibitions on disclosure
*[[FOISA_Section_27_Exemption|Section 27]] Information intended for future publication
*[[FOISA_Section_28_Exemption|Section 28]] Relations within the United Kingdom
*[[FOISA_Section_29_Exemption|Section 29]] Formulation of Scottish Administration policy etc.
*[[FOISA_Section_30_Exemption|Section 30]] Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs
*[[FOISA_Section_31_Exemption|Section 31]] National security and defence
*[[FOISA_Section_32_Exemption|Section 32]] International relations
*[[FOISA_Section_33_Exemption|Section 33]] Commercial interests and the economy
*[[FOISA_Section_34_Exemption|Section 34]] Investigations by Scottish public authorities and proceedings arising out of such investigations
*[[FOISA_Section_35_Exemption|Section 35]] Law enforcement
*[[FOISA_Section_36_Exemption|Section 36]] Confidentiality
*[[FOISA_Section_37_Exemption|Section 37]] Court records, etc.
*[[FOISA_Section_38_Exemption|Section 38]] Personal information
*[[FOISA_Section_39_Exemption|Section 39]] Health, safety and the environment
*[[FOISA_Section_40_Exemption|Section 40]] Audit functions
*[[FOISA_Section_41_Exemption|Section 41]] Communications with Her Majesty etc. and honours