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Freedom of Information Staff Handbook

DFP Freedom of Information Staff Handbook. (Sections 1-35 and Appendixes A-H)

Section 1  Contents and Introduction (PDF 115KB)

Section 2  Background (PDF 25KB)

Section 3  The Publication Scheme (PDF 20KB)

Section 4  Identifying FOI Requests (PDF 57KB)

Section 5  Valid Request - Name and Address for Correspondence (PDF 25KB)

Section 6  Processing FOI Requests (PDF 48.7KB)

Section 7  Interpreting a Request (PDF 45KB)

Section 8  Providing Advice and Assistance (PDF 31KB)

Section 9  Consideration of Requests Without Reference to the Identity of the Applicant or Reasons for the Request (PDF 35KB)

Section 10 Procedures for Opening and Maintaining FOI/Appeal Cases in Records NI (PDF 34KB)

Section 11 Vexatious Requests (PDF 34KB)

Section 12 When Should Names be Disclosed? (PDF 46KB)

Section 13 When Should Salaries be Disclosed? (PDF 36KB)

Section 14 Dealing With Requests For Other Peoples Information (PDF 28KB)

Section 15 Handling Requests Received In Other Languages (PDF 17KB)

Section 16 FOI Tracking System (PDF 22KB)

Section 17 Fees Guidance (PDF 48KB)

Section 18 FOI Exemptions (PDF 126KB)

Section 19 What Should be Recorded When Considering the Exemption at Section 36? (PDF 41KB)

Section 20 The Duty to Confirm Or Deny (PDF 17KB)

Section 21 The Public Interest Test (PDF 27KB)

Section 22 Refusal Notices (PDF 30KB)

Section 23 Time Limit for Responding (PDF 32KB)

Section 24 Consultation Procedures (PDF 39KB)

Section 25 Destruction of Requested Information (PDF 33KB)

Section 26The Schedule (PDF 27KB)

Section 27 Simultaneous Release Procedures (PDF 27KB)

Section 28 Public and Senior Civil Service Appointments and the Act (PDF 39KB)

Section 29 Requests for Budgetary Information (PDF 31KB)

Section 30 Dealing with Requests for MPs' Correspondence Relating to Constituents (PDF 35KB)

Sector 31 Public Sector Contracts (PDF 32KB)

Section 32 Complaints and Investigation Files (PDF 34KB)

Section 33 Internal Review Process (PDF 36KB)

Section 34 Complaints to the Information Commissioner (PDF 34KB)

Section 35 Compliance Role (PDF 27KB)

Appendix A  FOI Request Processing Flowchart (PDF 33KB)

Appendix B  DFP Information Management Contact Points (PDF 6KB)

Appendix C  Standard Letters (PDF 4.00KB)

Appendix D  DFP Public Information Leaflet (PDF 103KB)

Appendix E  Sample Schedule of Records (PDF 47KB)

Appendix F  Refusal Notice Checklist (PDF 21KB)

Appendix G  FOI Checklist for Requests (PDF 31.3KB)

Appendix H  Covering Email to Private Office (PDF 13.7KB)