Information Commissioner issues clear guidance on unclear requests

Information Commissioner issues clear guidance on unclear requests

The Information Commissioner’s Office has published new "common sense" guidance for freedom of information practitioners on how to interpret and respond to unclear requests under the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations.

The guidance urges public authorities to respond to requests objectively. Where an authority has background knowledge on the requester or their interests, they are required to read the request impartially and it should not affect the information they receive.

ICO issues new guidance to help public authorities deal with unclear requests (eGovMonitor, 19 January 2009)

ICO Guidance (pdf)