What We Do
The Commissioner is a public official responsible for enforcing and promoting Scotland's freedom of information laws.
He has extensive powers to enforce the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
Anyone who is dissatisfied with the way that a Scottish public authority has responded to a request for information, who then asks that authority to review their decision but is still unhappy with the outcome, can make an application to the Commissioner for a decision on their case - see "Your Rights".
The Scottish Information Commissioner's decisions are legally enforceable and he may require an authority to give out information that it has previously withheld, or take other action. He might, of course, uphold the decision of an authority to withhold information, but in doing so he will have rigorously investigated that decision to ensure it is legal.
As well as enforcing the act, the Commissioner undertakes a programme of activity to inform people about their rights under freedom of information laws and to promote best practice to public authorities. For example, advice and guidance is available in the "Your Rights" and Public Authorities" sections of this website. Examples of other activities which the Commissioner and his office have engaged in to promote the act include training and education, production of briefings and guidance, and speaking at events.
Strategic and Operational Plans
In May 2008, following his reappointment, the Commissioner published his 4-year Strategic Plan, layout out his vision for his final four years in office and the key strategic themes which will deliver against his aims.
He also published his annual Operational Plan for 2008/09, which describes the specific programme of activity which he will follow in the current year, towards the key strategic themes set out in the Strategic Plan.
Find out more at Strategic and operational plans.