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Access to Public Information

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Guernsey operates a Code of Practice for access to public information. You can find the Code of Practice and details of how it works on this page.

Should you have any queries in relation to applying the Code of Practice or if there is any issue not referred to on this page, please email information@gov.gg.

  • What is the Code of Practice for Access to Public Information?

    • In July 2013, the States of Guernsey agreed the pdf icon Code of Practice on Access to Public Information [533kb] and adopted the following core principles:
       
      • A presumption of disclosure
      • A corporate approach
      • A culture of openness
      • Pro-active publication
      • Effective record management
    • Like all governments, notwithstanding the presumption of disclosure in the balance of the public interest, the States of Guernsey will need to keep some information confidential, and it has a duty to protect the proper privacy of those it concerns.
    • The Code of Practice describes the exceptions that should be applied to the presumption of disclosure in order to meet these duties and protect Guernsey's legal, commercial, competitive or public interests. The exceptions can be applied to a document as a whole or to part of a document through redaction of information.

  • How do I apply for information under the Code of Practice for Access to Public Information?

    • The Code of Practice applies to all States of Guernsey Committees and service areas and can be applied to all requests for information. Requests should be made in writing and should expressly state that the information is being requested under the "Code of Practice for Access to Public Information".  The request should be sent to information@gov.gg or you can send a request by post to:
    • Information Requests
      Office of the Policy & Resources Committee
      Sir Charles Frossard House
      St Peter Port
      Guernsey
      GY1 1FH
    • The Code of Practice is not designed to replace the handling of routine requests, where those requests can be dealt with simply and quickly by communication through a telephone call, email or in a face-to-face meeting.
    • The request should be made in clear simple language. The requestor should consider how broad the request is and seek to limit the question to focus on the information required. This limits the use of staff resources on accessing information that is not necessary.
    • The request should include the requestor's contact address and details so that the relevant section can discuss the matter with the requestor if necessary to clarify the request and ensure that it is clear where the response should be sent.
    • The relevant section will seek to respond to the requestor with the information within 20 working days. Alternatively if one of the exceptions is being applied, the reasons why information has been withheld should be given. If it is not possible to respond within 20 working days an explanation should be given as to why there will be a delay in responding to the request.
    • If the requestor is not content with the response they may ask for the matter to be considered by the relevant political committee. If the requestor is still not content with the request they may ask for the matter to be referred to the Policy & Resources Committee for consideration.
    • This mechanism for requesting does not replace the process of applying for information under the Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002. Guidance on data protection in Guernsey can be found here.

  • How do I respond to Access to Public Information requests?

    • If you work for the States of Guernsey and have received an Access to Public Information request, you can find guidance on how to respond to the request pdf icon API Code of Practice Guidance [712kb]. 

  • Commissioned Reports

    • In July 2013, the States agreed that:
    • "Every Department and Committee [were] to publish details (namely the title of the report, who it is commissioned by and from and date of commission) of all reports commissioned by the Department or Committee within six months of that report being commissioned, unless the publication of such detail would fall within one of the exceptions from disclosure set out in the Code of Practice on Access to Public Information."
    • A list of the reports commissioned up to February 2017 are available to download on this page.

 

Requests and Responses

 

Downloads

Code of Practice on Access to Public Information Detailed guidance to the Code of Practice for Access to Public Information Short guidance note on operational implementation of the API code States of Guernsey Commissioned Reports - March 2014 - February 2018

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