A Model Freedom of Information Law
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A MODEL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAW
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
DEFINITIONS AND PURPOSE
Section
1. Definitions
2. Purpose
PART II
THE RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION HELD BY PUBLIC BODIES
3. Freedom of Information
4. General Right of Access
5. Legislation Prohibiting or Restricting Disclosure
6. Public and Private Bodies
7. Records
8. Request for Information
9. Time Limits for Responding to Requests
10. Notice of Response
11. Fees
12. Means of Communicating Information
13. If a Record is Not Held
14. Vexatious, Repetitive or Unreasonable Requests
PART III
MEASURES TO PROMOTE OPENNESS
15. Guide to Using the Act
16. Information Officer
17. Duty to Publish
18. Guidance on Duty to Publish
19. Maintenance of Records
20. Training of Officials
21. Reports to the Information Commissioner
PART IV
EXCEPTIONS
22. Public Interest Override
23. Information Already Publicly Available
24. Severability
25. Personal Information
26. Legal Privilege
A Model Freedom of Information Law
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27. Commercial and Confidential Information
28. Health and Safety
29. Law Enforcement
30. Defence and Security
31. Public Economic Interests
32. Policy Making and Operations of Public Bodies
33. Time Limits
PART V
THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER
34. Appointment of the Information Commissioner
35. Independence and Powers
36. Salary and Expenses
37. Staff
38. General Activities
39. Reports
40. Protection of the Commissioner
PART VI
ENFORCEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER
41. Complaint to the Commissioner
42. Complaint Decision
43. Direct Implementation of Decision
44. Commissioner’s Powers to Investigate
45. Appeal from Commissioner’s Decisions and Orders
46. Binding Nature of Commissioner’s Decisions and Orders
PART VII
WHISTLEBLOWERS
47. Whistleblowers
PART VIII
CRIMINAL AND CIVIL RESPONSIBILITY
48. Good Faith Disclosures
49. Criminal Offences
PART IX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
50. Regulations
51. Interpretation
52. Short Title and Commencement