Guide to Freedom of Information

Under the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 (the FOI Law) members of the public can request information held by a scheduled public authority (SPA).

The Law covers recorded information in any format that’s held by a SPA in Jersey. It can include printed documents, computer files, letters, emails, photographs, and sound or video recordings such as CCTV.

A SPA is an official authority. The following States of Jersey departments fall under FOI legislation

• Chief Minister's Department
• Department of the Environment
• Department for Infrastructure
• Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture Department
• Education Department
• Health and Social Services Department
• Social Security Department
• External Relations Department
• Community & Constitutional Affairs
• Treasury and Resources Department
• States Assembly (including States Greffe)
• Ministers
• Judicial Greffe
• Viscount's Department

The law also covers:

• Andium Homes
• The Parishes 
• States of Jersey Police
• The Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People.

The FOI Law doesn’t give people access to their own personal data such as their health records or credit reference file. These types of requests should be made to the SPA under the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018 which is outside the scope of this guidance note.

Anyone can make a freedom of information request – they don’t have to be Jersey citizens, or resident in Jersey. Requests can also be made by organisations, such as a newspaper, a campaign group, or a company. The purpose is to embrace a culture of public openness, transparency and accountability.

You can read more detail about the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 in our guide. It will help you to fully understand your obligations, maintain consistency and promote good practice.