Freedom of Information Act 2000 — United Kingdom law | Esheria

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Public authorities must answer valid information requests, normally within 20 working days, and requesters can be told in writing whether the authority holds the information and receive it if it does.

AI-assisted research synopsis — verify against the official legal text below.

Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Instrument
Act or statute
Version
Undated source snapshot
Language
en
Official source
View official record ↗

Citation provenance: source:global:stored-legal-sources · schema StatuteEnrichmentPublicV1.

amendment history commencement compliance freedom of information compliance information access information disclosure modification public authority compliance publication schemes records disclosure records management regulatory enforcement regulatory oversight repeal search warrants

Statute overview

About this statute

Public authorities must answer valid information requests, normally within 20 working days, and requesters can be told in writing whether the authority holds the information and receive it if it does. This provision sets out several Freedom of Information exemptions and the Commissioner’s oversight powers, including codes of practice, notices, appeals, and enforcement. This provision limits when older records can still be treated as exempt, and requires consultation with specified authorities before some refusal decisions. This provision lists many bodies and then makes a series of amendments connected with the Information Commissioner, Freedom of Information Act procedures, public records access, and related disclosure rules. This text lists when various sections and schedule entries came into force, including partial commencements, later full commencements, and entries made by statutory instruments or amendments.