Annual Report 2010/11
- 2010/11 in brief
- Anatomy of a practice assessment
- Applications overview
- Assessing and improving practice
- The authority's experience
- Enquiries
- The facts at your fingertips
- Financial overview
- FOI from the beginning
- Information requests
- In the news
- My final report
- Investigations performance
- Looking ahead
- Our plan of action for 2011/12
- A practical approach
- Our activity
- Public authority data
- Reporting back
- What happens to applications?
- Who appeals to us?
Applications and Decisions
Contact SIC
- Contact the Scottish Information Commissioner
- Contact Form
- Directions to the office of the Scottish Information Commissioner
FAQ
Public Authority FAQ
- Exemptions from FOISA and the EIRs
- Charging fees for information
- How FOISA and the EIRs affect libraries
- Further guidance for Scottish public authorities
- Requests for information under a publication scheme
- Public Authority FAQ
- Dealing with information requests
- Responding to information requests
- Timescales for responding to information requests
Home
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About SIC
- About the Scottish Information Commissioner
- Centre for FOI in Scotland
- Kevin Dunion - the first Scottish Information Commissioner
- Promoting your right to information from Scottish public authorities
- The Scottish Information Commissioner's Team
- The Scottish Information Commissioner's complaints procedure
- Operational Performance
- Strategic agreements with other bodies
- Strategic and operational plans
Brand Guidelines
News
- Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner opens in St Andrews.
- Authorities seek guidance on 2005 FOI compliance
- Statement from the Scottish Information Commissioner regarding the publication of the contract between the Scottish Prison Service and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd
- Central and local government open their files to the public.
- Scottish Information Commissioner concludes first case under open government code.
- Commissioner to address St Andrews residents.
- Journalists expected to take advantage of new information rights.
- Scottish Prison Service can withhold Reliance contract details.
- Research reveals authorities need to do more for freedom of information.
- New year means new rights as freedom of information law comes into effect.
- Commissioner launches public Right to Know campaign.
- Freedom of Information gets off to a flying start.
- Commissioner publishes report on Scottish Executive search for records relating to institutional children’s homes and education.
- Scottish Information Commissioner upholds appeal over the release of childhood leukaemia statistics
- Scottish Information Commissioner rules that Conservative Parliamentary leader's taxi destinations should be released
- Scottish Information Commissioner rules that mortality rates for all surgeons in Scotland should be released
- Third survey shows increased public awareness of freedom of information
- Scots embrace freedom of information
- Commissioner requires disclosure of information on the detention of children at Dungavel
- Freedom of Information a success in Scotland
- The Act is working - but has the culture changed?
- Court of Session upholds Commissioner's Decision
- Commissioner requires release of information from Wick Harbour death report
- Commissioner welcomes Court ruling in landmark freedom of information case
- Launch of Scottish Information Commissioner's Annual Report 2006-07
- Commissioner orders release of contract information
- New Website Opens Doors to Freedom of Information
- Scotland ries to the challenge of freedom of information...but more can be done
- Commissioner’s 500th decision orders release of unsolved murder files
- Scottish Information Commissioner orders release of NHS Lothian PFI contract
- Commissioner calls for public’s right to information to be protected when public services are privatised
- Public awareness of FOI is high - but some groups may be lagging behind
- Commissioner reappointed
- Court of Session rules on Enterprise Act case
- Commissioner welcomes release of Reliance contract
- Annual Report 2007 publishes first comprehensive data on Freedom of Information appeals
- Commissioner wants young people to be more aware of their rights to access information
- Commissioner wants older people to be more aware of their rights to information
- Commissioner urges people from all backgrounds to be more aware of their rights to information
- Study to explore low use of freedom of information by voluntary groups
- Scottish Information Commissioner to tackle any persistant failings by Scottish Public Authorities
- Commissioner welcomes Minister's announcement
- Statement on House of Lords Decision
- Civil Society and Freedom of Information - A Missed Opportunity?
- Commissioner orders release of Glasgow tender information
- Public favours extension of freedom of information rights
- Awareness of Freedom of Information continues to grow
- Freedom of Information awareness remains lower within key groups
- Launch of research study marks Right to Know Day
- Lord Wallace opens new Centre for Freedom of Information
- Lord Wallace calls for extension in the FOI Act
- Commissioner calls on Scottish public sector leaders to push the boundaries of openness
- Launch of new freedom of information resources for the voluntary sector
- EIRs on Database
- Survey finds public confused over information rights
- Commissioner welcomes Ministeral announcement
- Commissioner marks 5th Anniversary of freedom of information with call to authorities not to keep people in the dark about their rights
- 5th Anniversary FOI Campaign wins two CIPR awards
- Commissioner orders release of Shirley McKie case information
- Commissioner Unveils Fresh Approach to Publishing Information
- Commissioner welcomes Government consultation
- 1000th FOI Decision Requires Release of Government Meeting Data
- Commissioner challenges public authorities to "think FOI"
- Commissioner concerned over voluntary sector FOI use
- Scottish Borders Council turns FOI compliance around
- Spending cuts likely to drive public to make more use of their FOI rights
- TBC
- FOI Roadshow Heads to Inverness
- Statement on Decision 190/2010 Thomas Smith and the Scottish Ministers
- Freedom of Information takes centre stage at festival
- New “one stop shop” guidance on freedom of information launches today
- Freedom of Information Roadshow Heads to Dumfries & Galloway
- Festival-goers invited to embrace freedom of information in the age of new media
- FOI requests increase, but information is more likely to be disclosed
- Holyrood Conference 2011 - Now Booking
- Commissioner found that request to Stirling University was not vexatious
- FOI more important than ever in tough times ahead
- Freedom of Information in Scotland in Practice - launch
- New local datasets on public authority FOI appeals published
- SPCB recruits for new Commissioner
- Commissioner calls for FOI rights to be strengthened as survey reveals strong public support
- "Safeguard information rights" says Commissioner in last report
- Freedom of Information in the news
- What's new?
- News Releases
- News Feeds
- News template
- Commissioner's Consultations
- Presentations and articles
- Revising approach to publication schemes
- The Scottish Information Commissioner's policy on accepting speaking engagements
Events
Newsletter
- Inform Newsletter - July 2007
- Inform Newsletter - September 2007
- Inform Newsletter December 2011
- InformNewsletterJanFeb2008
- Inform Newsletter Jan Feb 2009
- Inform Newsletter Jan Feb 2010
- Newsletter January to February 2011
- Inform Newsletter - July/Aug 2008
- InformNewsletterJulyAugust2009
- Inform July August 2010
- Inform Newsletter March April 2008
- Inform Newsletter Mar Apr 2011
- Inform Newsletter March/April 2009
- Inform Newsletter March/April 2010
- Inform Newsletter May to July 2011
- Inform Newsletter - May/June 2008
- Inform Newsletter May/June 2009
- Inform Newsletter May/June 2010
- Inform Newsletter Nov / Dec 2008
- Inform November and December 2010
- Inform Newsletter November/December 2009
- Inform Newsletter September / October 2010
- Inform Newsletter Sept/Oct 2008
- Inform Newsletter Sept Oct 2009
- Inform Newsletter November 2007
- The Scottish Information Commissioner's Newsletter
- The Scottish Information Commissioner's Newsletter
- Inform Update September 2010
- Update 2010 Annual Report
- Update Centre for FOI January 2009
- Update Centre for FOI October 2011
- Inform Update - Holyrood Conference 2011
- UpdateSICRecruitmentOctober2011
SIC Reports
- Annual reports of the Scottish Information Commissioner
- Reports and publications
- Annual Report 2007
- SIC Annual Report 2008
Other Reports
- Other Reports of the Scottish Information Commissioner
- PublicationSchemeSurvey
- Public favours extension of freedom of information rights
- Survey finds public confused over information rights
- Research
- Report from the Research Conference November 2007
- Public authorities: are they ready for Freedom of Information?
- Research into information requests health and education sectors
- Scotland’s new Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation: Research released today (22 March 2004) by the Scottish Information Commissioner and TSO (The Stationery Office).
- How much do the Scottish public know about Freedom of Information and their new rights?
- November 2006 - the Act is working but has the culture changed?
- Public awareness of FOI is high, but some groups may be lagging behind
- How aware are the public of Scotland’s new Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation?
- Freedom of Information - is there now greater awareness of the new rights?
- Scotland rises to the challenge of FOI...but more can be done
- Special Report to Scottish Parliament 2012
- Qualitative study of Commisisoner's website
2nd International Conference
- Report from 2nd International Information Commissioners' Conference, Cape Town, South Africa
- 2nd International Conference Representation - Canada
- 2nd International Conference Representation - Estonia
- 2nd International Conference Representation - France
- 2nd International Conference Representation - Germany (Berlin)
- 2nd International Conference Representation - Germany (Brandenburg)
- 2nd International Conference Representation - Hungary
- 2nd International Conference Representation - Mexico
- 2nd International Conference Representation - Portugal
- 2nd International Conference Representation - Scotland
- 2nd International Conference Representation - South Africa
- 2nd International Conference Representation - Sweden
- 2nd International Conference Representation - United Kingdom
- 2nd International Conference Representation - USA (Conneticut)
- 2nd International Conference Representation - USA (Department of Justice)
SIC Resources
- Resources for elected representatives
- Factsheets and briefings
- Scottish Information Commissioner Image Library
- Logo library and Visual Identity
- Parliamentary Event 2 November 2011
- Photo library
- Resources for the voluntary sector
- A quick guide to FOI for voluntary organisations
- Civil Society Research Project
- Resources for elected members
- Resources and guidance
- Resources for media
- Resources for public authorities
Law
EIRs
- Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004
- Introduction to the EIRs
- Which bodies are covered by the EIRs?
- Differences between EIRs and FOISA
- The Scottish Information Commissioner's role - EIRs
- Exceptions
- Handling requests under the EIRs
- Links
- Obligations under the EIRs
- Definition of Environmental Information
FOISA
- Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
- Schedule 1 - Scottish Public Authorities
- Schedule 2 - The Scottish Information Commissioner
- Schedule 3 - Powers of entry and inspection
- Schedule 4 - Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act
FOISA Part 1
- Duty to Provide Advice and Assistance
- Amendment of Schedule 1
- Content of Certain Notices
- Effect of Exemptions
- Excessive Cost of Compliance
- Fees
- Fees for Disclosure in Certain Circumstances
- Access to information held by Scottish public authorities
- Further Power to designate Scottish Public Authorities
- General Entitlement
- Notice that Information is Not Held
- Public Authorities to which Act has Limited Application
- Model Publication Schemes
- Means of Providing Information
- Publication Schemes
- Publicly-owned Companies
- Special Provisions Relating to Records Transferred to Keeper
- Refusal of Request
- Requesting Information
- Further Provision as Responses to Request
- Review by Scottish Public Authority
- Requirement for Review of Refusal etc
- Scottish Public Authorities
- Time for Compliance
- Vexatious or Repeated Requests
FOISA Part 2
- Audit Functions
- Commercial Interests and the Economy
- Communications with Her Majesty etc. and Honours
- Prejudice to Effective Conduct of Public Affairs
- Confidentiality
- Court Records, etc
- Exempt Information
- Health, Safety and the Enviroment
- Information Intended for Future Publication
- Information Otherwise Accessible
- International Relations
- Investigations by Scottish Public Authorities and Proceedings Arising Out of Such Investigations
- Law enforcement
- National Security and Defence
- Personal Information
- Prohibitions on Disclosure
- Relations within the United Kingdom
- Formulation of Scottish Administration Policy etc
FOISA Part 4
- Appeal Against Notices Under Part 4
- Application for Decision by Commissioner
- Commissioner's Decision
- Enforcement Notices
- Exception From Duty to Comply with Certain Notices
- Failure to Comply with Notice
- Enforcement of FOISA
- Information Notices
- No Civil Right of Action Against Scottish Public Authority
- Powers of Entry and Inspection
- When Application Excluded
FOISA Part 7
- Amendment of Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937
- Amendment of Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002
- Commencement
- Disclosure of Information to Scottish Public Services Ombudsman or to Information Commissioner
- Exercise of Rights by Children
- Miscellaneous and supplemental provisions of FOISA
- Giving of Notice etc.
- Interpretation
- Offence of Altering etc. Records with Intent to Prevent Disclosure
- Orders and Regulations
- Power to Amend or Repeal Enactments Prohibiting Disclosure of Information
- Power to Make Provision Relating to Environmental Information
- Protection from Actions for Defamation
- Saving for Existing Powers of Disclosure
- Scottish Parliament and Scottish Administration
- Short title
Guidance
Court of Session Guidance 2010
Fees
Section 14
Personal Information
- Access to personal information about yourself and others
- Access to personal information about others
- Access to personal information about yourself
Scottish Public Authorities
- Resources to help with Records Management
- Scottish Public Authorities where you have the right to information
Practice assessments
- Assessing and improving practice
- Preparing for a practice assessment
- Practice assessment - reporting and action
- The assessment visit
- Assessing your authority's practice
- Improving knowledge and understanding
- Practice assessments
- Frequently asked questions about good practice
- Practice Recommendations
- Self-help tools for improving practice
- Sharing experience
Your Rights
- Your Rights publications
- Response Calculator
- Guidance about your rights to access public and environmental information
Guide to your rights
- About publication schemes
- Animated Guide to FOI
- Appealing to the Scottish Information Commissioner
- Asking for a review
- How do I ask?
- What might it cost?
- How to use the response calculator
- Unhappy with the Commissioner's decision?
- Unhappy with the response?
- What are my rights?
- What can I ask for?
- Why might my request be refused?
- What might it cost?
- Who can I ask?
How to Appeal
Quick 3 Step Guide
- Advice on appealing to the Scottish Information Commissioner
- Sample letter for making an appeal
- Advice on requesting information from a Scottish public authority
- Sample letter for requesting information
- Advice on requesting a review of the authorities response
- Sample letter for requesting a review
- Useful Tips