FOISA talks about disclosing information rather than documents or records. Does this mean requests for documents are invalid?
FOISA gives people the right to recorded information, rather than an entitlement to copies of specific documents. This does not mean, however, that requests for documents are automatically invalid. Requesters are required by FOISA to describe information in a way which is sufficiently clearly to enable you to locate and retrieve it. This might include reference to documents which contain the information the requester is seeking. Therefore, if an applicant has asked for a document and it is reasonably clear in the circumstances that it is the information recorded in the document that the applicant wants, then you should respond to this request as one which is properly made under FOISA. If you do not feel that the request is sufficiently clear, you have a duty to advise and assist the requester, and this will likely include approaching the applicant to tell them what other information you need in order to help you identify and locate what they are seeking. ‘Documents’ come in a range of
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