Introduction to Freedom of Information
Act 2000
The Freedom of Information
(FOI) Act 2000 (the Act) received royal assent on 30 November 2000.
It establishes a general right of access to all types of recorded
information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from
that right and places a number of obligations on public
authorities. The Act applies to public authorities, including
Government Departments and Non Departmental Public Bodies, such as
Cafcass. Under the Act you are entitled to make a request for
information to Cafcass (unless the information falls under one of
the specific exemptions in the Act):
(a) to be informed in writing by Cafcass whether it holds
information of the description specified in your request, (unless
an exemption applies) and
(b) if that is the case, to have that information communicated to
you. The Act provides for a time limit for dealing with a request
for information - that is, within 20 working days.
The Act also provides for
an appeal mechanism whereby you may apply to the Information
Commissioner for a decision as to whether we dealt with a specified
request in accordance with the Act.
Full access rights under the Freedom of Information Act (including
appeal provisions) came in force on 1 January 2005. More
information about the Freedom of Information Act is set in Cafcass'
Freedom of
Information Policy.