Guidance for public authorities

The purpose of FOIA is to enable persons who are resident in the Island to obtain access to information held by public authorities in accordance with the principles that:

• the information should be available to the public to promote the public interest; and
• exceptions to the right of access are necessary to maintain a balance with rights to privacy, effective government, and value for the taxpayer.

A public authority may withhold information either in part, or in full, if:

• the applicant has not provided further information requested by the public authority to assist to locate the information sought or confirm that the applicant is resident in the Isle of Man;
• a practical refusal reason applies;  
• the information is absolutely exempt; or
• the information is qualified exempt.

Guidance is provided on the interpretation of the Act, in particular on the application of exemptions and how the Commissioner handles complaints.

Public authorities must have regard to the statutory Code of Practice issued by the Council of Ministers when handling requests for information.