Freedom of Information briefing day Scotland
14 May 2003, Perth College

Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2002 in Scotland is approaching. A new post has been created, the Information Commissioner for Scotland, and Kevin Dunion formerly Director of Friends of the Earth (Scotland) has been appointed and has just taken up his post.

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act will give a general right of public access to all types of 'recorded' information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that general right, and places a number of obligations on public authorities. 'Public authorities' include Colleges and Universities. In some areas the Act is tougher than the Westminster equivalent, in particular that the Public Interest must be taken into account unless there is 'substantial prejudice' to the authority.


FE/HE institutions will have to:


- deal with requests under the Act,
- create a Publication Scheme and
- review their Records Management.

The timetable is likely to be tight, full compliance by 2005.

This briefing day will help you prepare for the changes necessary to ensure compliance with the new legislation.

For further details please email jlis@strath.ac.uk