APPLYING THE LAW

Responding to Requests: Approving A Request

All requests should receive a response within the time limits set down by the law. If the time limits for making a decision or supplying the information are not met, then section 7(6) of the Central Act requires that no fees can be charged.

When you decide to grant an application, most Acts requires that you will need to notify the requester in writing that their request has been accepted. The Central Act requires that the notice advise:

• what fees are payable for accessing the information (together with a calculation of how the fee was arrived at);
• the form of access being provided and how to actually obtain access; and
• how to make an appeal if the requester is unhappy with either the amount of fee being charged and/or the form of access provided.

Please click on the link to the Central RTI Act to read the detailed provisions contained in the law. Please click on the link to CHRI's State RTI pages to find out more about relevant rules and implementation in your specific State.