Freedom of Information

If you would like to request information from us, this section covers the type of information that we hold, information that is already available and how to request further information from us. It also covers how to find out if we hold any personal information about you.

Information available

All public bodies, including government departments, the police, local authorities, schools and hospitals/surgeries etc, have to comply with the freedom of information act.

We hold information on our three main policy areas of justice, rights and democracy:

Justice - responsibilities include running the courts, and improving the justice system
Rights - responsibilities include human rights and information rights law
Democracy - responsibilities include law and policy on running elections and modernising the constitution

If the information that you want is not covered in these areas you might find it in the A to Z of Central Government . This is a list of central government departments, executive agencies and non departmental public bodies and what they do. You can also find information on the MoJ webpage - Organisations covered by the Freedom of Information Act.

Before making your request

We already make a lot of information available to you. Before you request information from us, please try the three steps listed below. If you still can't find what you are looking for, then you can make a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

Search our website for the information
Check our Publication Scheme or the Information Asset Register on the OPSI website
Find out if we have already released the information

Making your request

When you send us your request, please do the following:

Be specific

You will get the information faster if you help us identify the exact information you require. It will also mean that your request is less likely to be turned down on cost grounds. Make sure that you:

are specific about exactly what information you want;
provide us with a narrow, tightly focussed request, and
provide, where appropriate, a relevant time frame e.g. 2004 - 2005 or November 2004 to February 2005.

Let us know how you want the information

How would you like the information sent to you e.g. by post, email or would you prefer to come in and inspect the information? Let us know when you make your request and we will meet your preference when we can.

Provide your contact details

We may have to get in touch with you to discuss your request. It would be helpful if you could tell us in your request how you would prefer us to contact you should we need to offer you any advice or assistance.

Where to send your request

You can either make a freedom of information request by email to the Department of Constitutional Affairs, or by writing to;

Ministry of Justice
Selborne House
54 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6QW

When we receive your request

We aim to reply promptly to your request, and are obliged by statute to provide a response within 20 working days. Some information may not be available because it falls within one of the exemptions of the Act. When that happens, we will tell you which exemption applies and, in most cases, why the information cannot be released.

There may be a cost involved in dealing with your request which you may have to pay. If so, we will send you a notice stating the amount you have to pay, and how we calculated that amount. You will then have 3 months to pay the fee before we will continue to process your request.

Personal information about you

Requests for personal information, that is information about a living individual, are dealt with under the Data Protection Act 1998. If you want to ask whether we hold any personal information about you, please note the following:

You will need to supply proof of your identity. This should include a photocopy of the identification pages of your current passport or of a current photo driving licence; and the original of a current utilities (e.g. electricity) bill, or credit card or bank statement, which includes your name and current address. This can be returned to you if required.
It would also help us to narrow our search if you could tell us which office or directorate you believe might hold personal data on you. If you are not sure which offices might hold the information, please tell us the context in which you have had dealings with us.
We may charge a fee for this service.
We may withhold access to your information where we have the right to do so under the Data Protection Act.

You can make your request in writing to:

Access Rights Unit
Ministry of Justice
6th Floor
Selbourne House
54-60 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6QW

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