OpenLegislation

Freedom of Information Act 2000

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

Not fully up to date. 4 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. 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. 33AParagraph 33A Repealed
  156. 34Paragraph 34 Repealed
  157. 35Paragraph 35 Repealed
  158. 35AParagraph 35A Repealed
  159. 35BParagraph 35B
  160. 35CParagraph 35C
  161. 35DParagraph 35D
  162. 35EParagraph 35E
  163. 35FParagraph 35F
  164. Northern Ireland
  165. 36Paragraph 36
  166. Part III: The National Health Service
  167. England and Wales
  168. 36AParagraph 36A Repealed
  169. 37Paragraph 37 Repealed
  170. 37AParagraph 37A
  171. 37BParagraph 37B
  172. 38Paragraph 38
  173. 39Paragraph 39 Repealed
  174. 39AParagraph 39A
  175. 40Paragraph 40
  176. 40AParagraph 40A
  177. 41Paragraph 41 Repealed
  178. 41AParagraph 41A Repealed
  179. 42Paragraph 42 Repealed
  180. 43Paragraph 43 Repealed
  181. 43AParagraph 43A
  182. 44Paragraph 44
  183. 45Paragraph 45
  184. 45AParagraph 45A
  185. 45BParagraph 45B Repealed
  186. Northern Ireland
  187. 46Paragraph 46 Repealed
  188. 47Paragraph 47 Repealed
  189. 48Paragraph 48
  190. 49Paragraph 49
  191. 50Paragraph 50 Repealed
  192. 51Paragraph 51
  193. 51AParagraph 51A
  194. 51BParagraph 51B
  195. 51CParagraph 51C Repealed
  196. 51DParagraph 51D
  197. Part IV: Maintained schools and other educational institutions
  198. England and Wales
  199. 52Paragraph 52
  200. 52AParagraph 52A
  201. 53Paragraph 53
  202. Northern Ireland
  203. 54Paragraph 54
  204. 55Paragraph 55
  205. 56Paragraph 56
  206. Part V: Police
  207. England and Wales
  208. 57Paragraph 57
  209. 58Paragraph 58
  210. 59Paragraph 59
  211. Northern Ireland
  212. 60Paragraph 60
  213. 61Paragraph 61
  214. Miscellaneous
  215. 62Paragraph 62
  216. 63Paragraph 63
  217. 63AParagraph 63A
  218. 63BParagraph 63B
  219. 64Paragraph 64
  220. Part VI: Other public bodies and offices: general
  221. Paragraph
  222. Part VII: Other public bodies and offices: Northern Ireland
  223. Paragraph
  224. Schedule 2: The Commissioner and the Tribunal
  225. Part I: Provision consequential on s. 18(1) and (2)
  226. General
  227. 1Paragraph 1
  228. 1AParagraph 1A
  229. 2Paragraph 2
  230. Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)
  231. 3Paragraph 3
  232. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)
  233. 4Paragraph 4
  234. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  235. Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)
  236. 6Paragraph 6
  237. Consumer Credit Act 1974 (c. 39)
  238. 7Paragraph 7
  239. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
  240. 8Paragraph 8
  241. Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)
  242. 9Paragraph 9
  243. Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)
  244. 10Paragraph 10
  245. Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (c. 8)
  246. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  247. 12Paragraph 12
  248. Data Protection Act 1998 (c. 29)
  249. 13Paragraph 13
  250. 14Paragraph 14
  251. 15Paragraph 15
  252. Part II: Amendments relating to extension of functions of Commissioner and Tribunal
  253. Interests represented by lay members of Tribunal
  254. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  255. Expenses incurred under this Act excluded in calculating fees
  256. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  257. Information provided to Commissioner or Tribunal
  258. 18Paragraph 18
  259. 19Paragraph 19
  260. Deputy commissioners
  261. 20Paragraph 20
  262. Exercise of Commissioner’s functions by others
  263. 21Paragraph 21
  264. Money
  265. 22Paragraph 22
  266. Schedule 3: Powers of entry and inspection
  267. Issue of warrants
  268. 1Paragraph 1
  269. 2Paragraph 2
  270. 3Paragraph 3
  271. Execution of warrants
  272. 4Paragraph 4
  273. 5Paragraph 5
  274. 6Paragraph 6
  275. 7Paragraph 7
  276. Matters exempt from inspection and seizure
  277. 8Paragraph 8
  278. 9Paragraph 9
  279. 10Paragraph 10
  280. Return of warrants
  281. 11Paragraph 11
  282. Offences
  283. 12Paragraph 12
  284. Vessels, vehicles etc.
  285. 13Paragraph 13
  286. Scotland and Northern Ireland
  287. 14Paragraph 14
  288. 15Paragraph 15
  289. Schedule 4
  290. Constitution of Tribunal in national security cases
  291. 1Paragraph 1
  292. 2Paragraph 2
  293. Constitution of Tribunal in other cases
  294. 3Paragraph 3
  295. Rules of procedure
  296. 4Paragraph 4
  297. Schedule 5: Amendments of public records legislation
  298. Part I: Amendments of Public Records Act 1958
  299. Functions of Advisory Council on Public Records
  300. 1Paragraph 1
  301. Access to public records
  302. 2Paragraph 2
  303. 3Paragraph 3
  304. Power to extend meaning of “public records”
  305. 4Paragraph 4
  306. Part II: Amendment of Public Records Act (Northern Ireland) 1923
  307. 5Paragraph 5
  308. Schedule 6: Further amendments of Data Protection Act 1998
  309. Request by data controller for further information
  310. 1Paragraph 1
  311. Parliament
  312. 2Paragraph 2
  313. 3Paragraph 3
  314. 4Paragraph 4
  315. 5Paragraph 5
  316. Honours
  317. 6Paragraph 6
  318. Legal professional privilege
  319. 7Paragraph 7
  320. Extension of transitional exemption
  321. 8Paragraph 8
  322. Schedule 7: Disclosure of information by ombudsmen
  323. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
  324. 1Paragraph 1
  325. 2Paragraph 2
  326. The Commissions for Local Administration in England and Wales
  327. 3Paragraph 3
  328. 4Paragraph 4
  329. The Health Service Commissioners
  330. 5Paragraph 5
  331. 6Paragraph 6
  332. The Welsh Administration Ombudsman
  333. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  334. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  335. The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints
  336. 9Paragraph 9
  337. 10Paragraph 10
  338. The Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
  339. 11Paragraph 11
  340. 12Paragraph 12
  341. The Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland
  342. 13Paragraph 13
  343. Schedule 8: Repeals
  344. IRepeal coming into force on passing of Act
  345. IIRepeals coming into force in accordance with section 87(2)
  346. IIIRepeals coming into force in accordance with section 87(3)