OpenLegislation

Freedom of Information Act 2000 in Scotland

2000 c. 36 · Enacted 30 November 2000 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 5 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 8 October 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 1 Pt. 7words insertedInquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 Sch. 1 para. 15
Sch. 3 para. 1(1)words insertedCourts Act 2003 Sch. 4 para. 13
Sch. 1 Pt. 6words insertedTrade Act 2021 Sch. 6 para. 5
Sch. 1 para. 43A(a)words substitutedHealth and Care Act 2022 Sch. 3 para. 47
Sch. 1 Pt. 6words insertedPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 Sch. 2 para. 23

An Act to make provision for the disclosure of information held by public authorities or by persons providing services for them and to amend the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Public Records Act 1958; and for connected purposes.

[30th November 2000]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act: functions of Secretary of State transferred to the Lord Chancellor (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3500, arts. 3, 4, Sch. 1 para. 12

Act (except ss. 15, 23, 24, 36, 46, 65, 66 and s. 53 for certain purposes): functions of the Lord Chancellor transferred to the Secretary of State, and all property, rights and liabilities to which the Lord Chancellor is entitled or subject in connection with any such function transferred to the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (19.8.2003) by The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887), art. 4, Sch. 1 (with art. 6)

C2

Act applied (with modifications) (22.11.2012) by The Police and Crime Panels (Application of Local Authority Enactments) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2734), regs. 1(1), 3-6, Sch. Pt. 3

C3

Act applied (with modifications) (22.11.2012) by The Police and Crime Panels (Application of Local Authority Enactments) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2734), regs. 1(1), 3-6, Sch. Pt. 2

C4

Act applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (22.11.2012) by The Police and Crime Panels (Application of Local Authority Enactments) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2734), regs. 1(1), 3-6, Sch. Pt. 1

C5

Act: transfer of functions (9.11.2016) by The Transfer of Functions (Elections, Referendums, Third Sector and Information) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/997), art. 7(a) (with arts. 8, 12)

C6

Act: transfer of functions (9.11.2016) by The Transfer of Functions (Elections, Referendums, Third Sector and Information) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/997), arts. 1(2), 3(1), Sch. 1(i) (with arts. 3(2), 6, 12)

C7

Act modified (E.W.) (23.5.2019) by The Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/957), arts. 1, 15(2)

C8

Act modified (E.W.) (14.2.2020) by The Northamptonshire (Structural Changes) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/156), arts. 1, 17(2)(f)

C9

Act applied (E.) (18.3.2022) by The Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/331), arts. 1(1), 18(2)(f)

C10

Act modified (10.3.2026) by The Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/264), arts. 1(1), 28(2)(f), 40(2)(f)

Contents

  1. Part I: Access to information held by public authorities
  2. Right to information
  3. 1General right of access to information held by public authorities.
  4. 2Effect of the exemptions in Part II.
  5. 3Public authorities.
  6. 4Amendment of Schedule 1.
  7. 5Further power to designate public authorities.
  8. 6Publicly-owned companies.
  9. 7Public authorities to which Act has limited application.
  10. 8Request for information.
  11. 9Fees.
  12. 10Time for compliance with request.
  13. 11Means by which communication to be made.
  14. 11ARelease of datasets for re-use Not yet in force
  15. 11BPower to charge fees in relation to release of datasets for re-use
  16. 12Exemption where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit.
  17. 13Fees for disclosure where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit.
  18. 14Vexatious or repeated requests.
  19. 15Special provisions relating to public records transferred to Public Record Office, etc.
  20. 16Duty to provide advice and assistance.
  21. Refusal of request
  22. 17Refusal of request.
  23. The Information Commission ...
  24. 18The Information Commission...
  25. Publication schemes
  26. 19Publication schemes.
  27. 20Model publication schemes.
  28. Part II: Exempt information
  29. 21Information accessible to applicant by other means.
  30. 22Information intended for future publication.
  31. 22AResearch
  32. 23Information supplied by, or relating to, bodies dealing with security matters.
  33. 24National security.
  34. 25Certificates under ss. 23 and 24: supplementary provisions.
  35. 26Defence.
  36. 27International relations.
  37. 28Relations within the United Kingdom.
  38. 29The economy.
  39. 30Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities.
  40. 31Law enforcement.
  41. 32Court records, etc.
  42. 33Audit functions.
  43. 34Parliamentary privilege.
  44. 35Formulation of government policy, etc.
  45. 36Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs.
  46. 37Communications with Her Majesty, etc. and honours.
  47. 38Health and safety.
  48. 39Environmental information.
  49. 40Personal information.
  50. 41Information provided in confidence.
  51. 42Legal professional privilege.
  52. 43Commercial interests.
  53. 44Prohibitions on disclosure.
  54. Part III: General functions of Minister for the Cabinet Office, Secretary of State and Information Commission
  55. 45Issue of code of practice by the Minister for the Cabinet Office.
  56. 46Issue of code of practice by Secretary of State.
  57. 47General functions of Commission.
  58. 48Recommendations as to good practice.
  59. 49Reports to be laid before Parliament. Repealed
  60. Part IV: Enforcement
  61. 50Application for decision by Commission.
  62. 51Information notices.
  63. 52Enforcement notices.
  64. 53Exception from duty to comply with decision notice or enforcement notice.
  65. 54Failure to comply with notice.
  66. 55Powers of entry and inspection.
  67. 56No action against public authority.
  68. Part V: Appeals
  69. 57Appeal against notices served under Part IV.
  70. 58Determination of appeals.
  71. 59Appeals from decision of Tribunal. Repealed
  72. 60Appeals against national security certificate.
  73. 61Appeal proceedings
  74. Part VI: Historical records and records in Public Record Office or Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
  75. 62Interpretation of Part VI.
  76. 63Removal of exemptions: historical records generally.
  77. 64Removal of exemptions: historical records in public record offices.
  78. 65Decisions as to refusal of discretionary disclosure of historical records.
  79. 66Decisions relating to certain transferred public records.
  80. 67Amendments of public records legislation.
  81. Part VII: Amendments of Data Protection Act 1998
  82. Amendments relating to personal information held by public authorities
  83. 68Extension of meaning of “data”.
  84. 69Right of access to unstructured personal data held by public authorities.
  85. 70Exemptions applicable to certain manual data held by public authorities.
  86. 71Particulars registrable under Part III of Data Protection Act 1998. Repealed
  87. 72Availability under Act disregarded for purpose of exemption.
  88. Other amendments
  89. 73Further amendments of Data Protection Act 1998.
  90. Part VIII: Miscellaneous and supplemental
  91. 74Power to make provision relating to environmental information.
  92. 75Power to amend or repeal enactments prohibiting disclosure of information.
  93. 76Disclosure of information between Commission and ombudsmen.
  94. 76ADisclosure between Commission and Scottish Information Commissioner
  95. 76BDisclosure of information to Tribunal
  96. 77Offence of altering etc. records with intent to prevent disclosure.
  97. 78Saving for existing powers.
  98. 79Defamation.
  99. 80Scotland.
  100. 80AInformation held by Northern Ireland bodies Repealed
  101. 81Application to government departments, etc.
  102. 82Orders and regulations.
  103. 83Meaning of “Welsh public authority”.
  104. 84Interpretation.
  105. 85Expenses.
  106. 86Repeals.
  107. 87Commencement.
  108. 88Short title and extent.
  109. Schedule 1: Public authorities
  110. Part I: General
  111. 1Paragraph 1
  112. 1ZAParagraph 1ZA
  113. 1AParagraph 1A
  114. 2Paragraph 2
  115. 3Paragraph 3
  116. 4Paragraph 4
  117. 5Paragraph 5
  118. 5AParagraph 5A
  119. 6Paragraph 6
  120. Part II: Local government
  121. England and Wales
  122. 7Paragraph 7
  123. 8Paragraph 8
  124. 9Paragraph 9
  125. 10Paragraph 10
  126. 11Paragraph 11
  127. 12Paragraph 12
  128. 13Paragraph 13
  129. 14Paragraph 14
  130. 14AParagraph 14A
  131. 15Paragraph 15
  132. 15AParagraph 15A Repealed
  133. 16Paragraph 16
  134. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  135. 18Paragraph 18
  136. 19Paragraph 19
  137. 19AParagraph 19A
  138. 19BParagraph 19B
  139. 19CParagraph 19C
  140. 20Paragraph 20
  141. 21Paragraph 21
  142. 22Paragraph 22
  143. 23Paragraph 23
  144. 24Paragraph 24
  145. 25Paragraph 25
  146. 26Paragraph 26
  147. 27Paragraph 27
  148. 28Paragraph 28
  149. 28AParagraph 28A
  150. 29Paragraph 29
  151. 30Paragraph 30
  152. 31Paragraph 31
  153. 32Paragraph 32
  154. 33Paragraph 33
  155. 34Paragraph 34 Repealed
  156. 35Paragraph 35 Repealed
  157. 35AParagraph 35A Repealed
  158. 35BParagraph 35B
  159. 35CParagraph 35C
  160. 35DParagraph 35D
  161. 35EParagraph 35E
  162. 35FParagraph 35F
  163. Northern Ireland
  164. 36Paragraph 36
  165. Part III: The National Health Service
  166. England and Wales
  167. 36AParagraph 36A Repealed
  168. 37Paragraph 37 Repealed
  169. 37AParagraph 37A
  170. 37BParagraph 37B
  171. 38Paragraph 38
  172. 39Paragraph 39 Repealed
  173. 39AParagraph 39A
  174. 40Paragraph 40
  175. 40AParagraph 40A
  176. 41Paragraph 41 Repealed
  177. 41AParagraph 41A Repealed
  178. 42Paragraph 42 Repealed
  179. 43Paragraph 43 Repealed
  180. 44Paragraph 44
  181. 45Paragraph 45
  182. 45AParagraph 45A
  183. 45BParagraph 45B Repealed
  184. Northern Ireland
  185. 46Paragraph 46 Repealed
  186. 47Paragraph 47 Repealed
  187. 48Paragraph 48
  188. 49Paragraph 49
  189. 50Paragraph 50 Repealed
  190. 51Paragraph 51
  191. 51AParagraph 51A
  192. 51BParagraph 51B
  193. 51CParagraph 51C Repealed
  194. 51DParagraph 51D
  195. Part IV: Maintained schools and other educational institutions
  196. England and Wales
  197. 52Paragraph 52
  198. 52AParagraph 52A
  199. 53Paragraph 53
  200. Northern Ireland
  201. 54Paragraph 54
  202. 55Paragraph 55
  203. 56Paragraph 56
  204. Part V: Police
  205. England and Wales
  206. 57Paragraph 57
  207. 58Paragraph 58
  208. 59Paragraph 59
  209. Northern Ireland
  210. 60Paragraph 60
  211. 61Paragraph 61
  212. Miscellaneous
  213. 62Paragraph 62
  214. 63Paragraph 63
  215. 63AParagraph 63A
  216. 63BParagraph 63B
  217. 64Paragraph 64
  218. Part VI: Other public bodies and offices: general
  219. Paragraph
  220. Part VII: Other public bodies and offices: Northern Ireland
  221. Paragraph
  222. Schedule 2: The Commissioner and the Tribunal
  223. Part I: Provision consequential on s. 18(1) and (2)
  224. General
  225. 1Paragraph 1
  226. 1AParagraph 1A
  227. 2Paragraph 2
  228. Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)
  229. 3Paragraph 3
  230. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)
  231. 4Paragraph 4
  232. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  233. Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)
  234. 6Paragraph 6
  235. Consumer Credit Act 1974 (c. 39)
  236. 7Paragraph 7
  237. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
  238. 8Paragraph 8
  239. Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)
  240. 9Paragraph 9
  241. Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)
  242. 10Paragraph 10
  243. Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (c. 8)
  244. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  245. 12Paragraph 12
  246. Data Protection Act 1998 (c. 29)
  247. 13Paragraph 13
  248. 14Paragraph 14
  249. 15Paragraph 15
  250. Part II: Amendments relating to extension of functions of Commissioner and Tribunal
  251. Interests represented by lay members of Tribunal
  252. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  253. Expenses incurred under this Act excluded in calculating fees
  254. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  255. Information provided to Commissioner or Tribunal
  256. 18Paragraph 18
  257. 19Paragraph 19
  258. Deputy commissioners
  259. 20Paragraph 20
  260. Exercise of Commissioner’s functions by others
  261. 21Paragraph 21
  262. Money
  263. 22Paragraph 22
  264. Schedule 3: Powers of entry and inspection
  265. Issue of warrants
  266. 1Paragraph 1
  267. 2Paragraph 2
  268. 3Paragraph 3
  269. Execution of warrants
  270. 4Paragraph 4
  271. 5Paragraph 5
  272. 6Paragraph 6
  273. 7Paragraph 7
  274. Matters exempt from inspection and seizure
  275. 8Paragraph 8
  276. 9Paragraph 9
  277. 10Paragraph 10
  278. Return of warrants
  279. 11Paragraph 11
  280. Offences
  281. 12Paragraph 12
  282. Vessels, vehicles etc.
  283. 13Paragraph 13
  284. Scotland and Northern Ireland
  285. 14Paragraph 14
  286. 15Paragraph 15
  287. Schedule 4
  288. Constitution of Tribunal in national security cases
  289. 1Paragraph 1
  290. 2Paragraph 2
  291. Constitution of Tribunal in other cases
  292. 3Paragraph 3
  293. Rules of procedure
  294. 4Paragraph 4
  295. Schedule 5: Amendments of public records legislation
  296. Part I: Amendments of Public Records Act 1958
  297. Functions of Advisory Council on Public Records
  298. 1Paragraph 1
  299. Access to public records
  300. 2Paragraph 2
  301. 3Paragraph 3
  302. Power to extend meaning of “public records”
  303. 4Paragraph 4
  304. Part II: Amendment of Public Records Act (Northern Ireland) 1923
  305. 5Paragraph 5
  306. Schedule 6: Further amendments of Data Protection Act 1998
  307. Request by data controller for further information
  308. 1Paragraph 1
  309. Parliament
  310. 2Paragraph 2
  311. 3Paragraph 3
  312. 4Paragraph 4
  313. 5Paragraph 5
  314. Honours
  315. 6Paragraph 6
  316. Legal professional privilege
  317. 7Paragraph 7
  318. Extension of transitional exemption
  319. 8Paragraph 8
  320. Schedule 7: Disclosure of information by ombudsmen
  321. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
  322. 1Paragraph 1
  323. 2Paragraph 2
  324. The Commissions for Local Administration in England and Wales
  325. 3Paragraph 3
  326. 4Paragraph 4
  327. The Health Service Commissioners
  328. 5Paragraph 5
  329. 6Paragraph 6
  330. The Welsh Administration Ombudsman
  331. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  332. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  333. The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints
  334. 9Paragraph 9
  335. 10Paragraph 10
  336. The Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
  337. 11Paragraph 11
  338. 12Paragraph 12
  339. The Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland
  340. 13Paragraph 13
  341. Schedule 8: Repeals
  342. IRepeal coming into force on passing of Act
  343. IIRepeals coming into force in accordance with section 87(2)
  344. IIIRepeals coming into force in accordance with section 87(3)