Frequently asked questions

Normally speaking, no, although the Act provides that public authorities need not comply with expensive requests. If it would cost more than ?450 for a public authority to respond to an FoI request, then an authority need not comply with it. The ?450 limit covers the time taken to find, sort, edit or redact material. If the cost ceiling is exceeded then we will ask you to simplify your request. For requests which would cost less than the ceiling, no fee may be charged, but we can charge the full cost of disbursements (photocopying, printing and posting).