FOI Request Checklist UK
A clear FOI request is more likely to be understood, processed and answered properly.
Use this checklist before sending a confidential enquiry to FOI Proxy UK. It will help you explain what you want and avoid common problems that can delay or weaken a request.
Start a Confidential FOI Enquiry View Service Levels & PricingBefore You Submit an FOI Enquiry
- Identify the public authority that is likely to hold the information.
- Check whether the information is already published on the authority's website.
- Check disclosure logs, publication schemes and previous FOI responses where available.
- Decide whether you want recorded information, such as documents, statistics, policies, emails, minutes or spending records.
- Think about the date range you want covered.
- Avoid including unnecessary personal information about yourself or others.
What Makes a Good FOI Request?
Clear Subject
Explain the topic in plain language so the authority can understand what information is being requested.
Specific Date Range
Where possible, include dates such as financial years, calendar years or a defined period.
Recorded Information
Ask for information the authority holds, rather than opinions, explanations or general answers.
Focused Scope
Keep the request narrow enough to reduce avoidable delay, clarification requests or cost-limit refusals.
Useful Details to Include
- The name of the public authority.
- The specific information or documents you want.
- The relevant date range.
- Any department, service area, contract, project or policy name that may help identify the information.
- Whether you want statistics, copies of documents, correspondence, spending figures, policies or minutes.
- Any wording or topic detail you do not want included in the final request.
Common FOI Mistakes
- Asking for "all information" about a broad subject.
- Mixing a complaint with an information request.
- Asking why a decision was made instead of asking for recorded decision-making documents.
- Requesting personal data under FOI when a Subject Access Request may be more appropriate.
- Failing to name the correct public authority.
- Using vague wording that forces the authority to ask for clarification.
FOI or Subject Access Request?
FOI is generally used to request recorded information held by public authorities.
If you want information about yourself, such as HR records, medical records, disciplinary records or correspondence about you personally, a Subject Access Request may be more appropriate.
FOI Proxy UK may decline enquiries that appear to be better handled as a Subject Access Request or another legal route.
How FOI Proxy UK Uses Your Enquiry
You do not need to draft the perfect FOI request before contacting us. The aim is to give us enough detail to understand what you want and whether the request appears suitable.
Where appropriate, we refine the wording before submission. FOI Proxy UK submits suitable requests in its own name using its own contact details.
Your identity and instructions are treated as confidential and are not disclosed to the public authority unless legally required.
Start With the Checklist
When you are ready, send us the public authority, the information you want, the date range if known, and any sensitivity concerns. We will review your enquiry before anything is submitted or payment is taken.
Start a Confidential FOI Enquiry