Freedom of Information Act 2000 Explanatory Notes

Commentary on Sections

Part I: Access to information held by public authorities

Right to information

Section 13: Fees for disclosure where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit

58.This section provides that a public authority may charge for the communication of any information the communication of which is not required under section 1(1), because the cost of compliance exceeds the appropriate limit, and is not otherwise required by law. Such fees are to be determined by the public authority in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State. It enables public authorities to charge for large amounts of information that might not be otherwise disclosed due to cost considerations. This does not affect existing statutory provisions as to fees to be charged for the disclosure of information.

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