How do you know what information we hold, and what you have the right to see?

We have a Guide to Information [PDF] so you can easily find out what information we hold. It sets out:

  • What information we publish or intend to publish
  • How we make the information available
  • Whether you have to pay for it.

We will also consider and respond to specific requests for information that is not included in the publication scheme.

Some information is “exempt” from the right of access – that is, we do not have to give it to you if you ask for it.

This includes information about, for example, law enforcement, national security and defence, and commercial interests.

In some cases, we have to give you the information you have asked for only if this is in the public interest.

People entrust sensitive personal information and details about cases to us. So the law says we may not normally supply information given to us without the consent of the person who supplied it.

Where the law forbids us from passing on information, the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act does not affect this.