Briefing

FOI applies to official information held in private email accounts and other media formats

Posted by : Frances Barnwell and Julian Smith | Date posted : 18/01/2012

 For the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), information is held by a public authority if

(a)   it is held by the authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person, or

(b)   it is held by another person on behalf of the authority.

The ICO has now published new guidance as to the extent to which information held on private email accounts or in other media may be subject to disclosure under the FOIA under test (b).

If you require further information on anything covered in this briefing please contact Frances Barnwell (frances.barnwell@farrer.co.uk; 020 3375 7508), Julian Smith (julian.smith@farrer.co.uk; 020 3375 7432) or your usual contact at the firm on 020 3375 7000