PUBLICATION SCHEME

Section 2 Freedom of Information

About the law on Freedom of Information

On 1 January 2005 the Freedom of Information ( Scotland) Act 2002 (FoI Act) will come into effect. The Act aims to increase openness and accountability in government and across the public sector by ensuring that people have the right to get access to information held by Scottish public authorities, including the Scottish Legal Aid Board. You will be able to see and question how such bodies work and how they make their decisions.

The Act is available online at www.scotland-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2002/20020013.htm It introduces a statutory right of access by any individual to all types of recorded information held by a wide range of Scottish public authorities. The Board will have to give these rights of access from 1 January 2005.

The FOI Act will be promoted and enforced by Kevin Dunion, the first Scottish Information Commissioner. He will be Scotland’s first independent enforcer of freedom of information, with legal powers to ensure the public’s right of freedom of information is upheld. The Commissioner's website is www.itspublicknowledge.info