Your rights
This section covers your rights under Scotland’s Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs). Whether you want to understand what you can ask for, how to make a request, or what to do if you’re refused, start here.
Your right to know
Everyone has the right to request information from Scottish public authorities under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Read guidanceMaking a request
How to make a freedom of information request to a Scottish public authority, and what to expect.
Read guidanceExemptions and exceptions
When Scottish public authorities can refuse to disclose information, and what you can do about it.
Read guidanceThe public interest test
How the public interest test works in Scottish freedom of information law, and what arguments succeed in practice.
Read guidanceIf your request is refused
What to do if a Scottish public authority refuses your freedom of information request, including how to request a review and appeal to the Commissioner.
Read guidanceEnvironmental information
Your rights to access environmental information under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
Read guidanceGlossary
Definitions of the terms you might find in FOI responses and decisions of the Scottish Information Commissioner.
Read guidanceTemplate requests
Ready-to-use FOI request templates. Copy a template, fill in the blanks, and send it to the right authority.
Read guidance