Section 1: Introduction to the Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) provides individuals with a right of access to all recorded information held by Scottish public authorities. Anyone can use this right, and information can only be withheld where FOISA expressly permits it.
Section 23 of FOISA also requires that all Scottish public authorities maintain a publication scheme. A publication scheme sets out the types of information that a public authority routinely makes available. This scheme has been approved through the Scottish Information Commissioner's approval process. Like all Scottish publication schemes, the Commissioner is also obliged to review this scheme from time to time.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide you with details of the range of information that the Commissioner routinely publishes. The scheme also provides details of how you can access this information, and tells you whether it is available free, or if there is a charge.
Alongside FOISA, the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (the EIRs) provide a separate right of access to the environmental information that the Commissioner holds. This publication scheme also contains details of the environmental information that the Commissioner routinely makes available.
Where information is not published under this scheme, you can request it from us under FOISA or, in the case of environmental information, the EIRs. For further information on accessing information not covered by this scheme, refer to Section 11: How to access information not available under the publication scheme.
The scheme is split into 12 sections as follows.
- Section 1: Introduction to the Publication Scheme
- Section 2: About the Scottish Information Commissioner
- Section 3: Preparing the publication scheme
- Section 4: Accessing Information under the Publication Scheme
- Section 5: Information that the Commissioner may withhold
- Section 6: The Commissioner's Charging Policy
- Section 7: The Commissioner's Copyright Policy
- Section 8 The Commissioner's Records Management and Disposal Policy
- Section 9: Feedback
- Section 10: Complaints
- Section 11: How to access information not available under the publication scheme
- Section 12: Classes of Information
Section 12 - Classes of Information
You can search for information available from the Scottish Information Commissioner in the following ways:
Publication Scheme Search
Our current Publication Scheme search uses JavaScript to function correctly, it appears you currently have JavaScript disabled. To use this search you can either turn JavaScript on or you can use our advanced search.Advanced Search Hints
If you would like to use the advanced search to find parts of our publication scheme, the information on our accssible publiction scheme search hints page will help narrow down your search results.Information falling within the classes listed in this scheme will always be made available unless there is a good reason not to do so. The only circumstances in which information will be withheld are where one or more of the exemptions listed in the Act is judged to apply. See the Information that the Commissioner may withhold page for more information on exempt information.
Where possible, documents are made available online through this website, but requests can also be made for printed copies to be sent by post, or for electronic files to be sent by e-mail. We will also take all reasonable steps to provide information in alternative formats (e.g. Braille, audio tape) and languages if required.