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You are in: NAS> FOI > Basic guide> What does FOISA do?
Sunday 16 June 2013
 
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What does the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act do?
The act provides a legal right of access to recorded information held by any Scottish public authority to anyone who asks for this information. They do not have to cite the FOISA when making a request. It does not just apply to information created after the FOISA was passed but includes information of any age. There are exemptions and conditions [link to exemptions section further down] attached to the release of information, but people from anywhere in the world who make a request will generally be entitled to receive it. There is a general presumption that all information should be released unless it can be shown that it is against the public interest to do so.

Authorities must respond to requests for information within 20 working days of receiving the initial request.

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