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Diffstat (limited to 'lib/views/help/unhappy.html.erb')
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diff --git a/lib/views/help/unhappy.html.erb b/lib/views/help/unhappy.html.erb new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6526b0f --- /dev/null +++ b/lib/views/help/unhappy.html.erb @@ -0,0 +1,116 @@ +<% @title = "Unhappy about a Freedom of Information request?" %> + + +<% if @info_request %> + <h1>Unhappy about the response you got + to your request '<%=request_link(@info_request) %>'? + </h1> +<% else %> + <h1>Unhappy about the response you got?</h1> +<% end %> + +<p>If ...</p> + +<ul> + <li>You didn't get a reply within 20 working days</li> + <li>You did not get all of the information that you requested <strong>or</strong></li> + <li>Your request was refused, but without a reason valid under the law</li> +</ul> + +<p>... you can</p> + +<ol> + <li>Ask for an <strong>internal review</strong> at the public authority.</li> + <li>If that doesn't help, complain to the <strong>Information Commissioner</strong>.</li> + <li>Either way, also <strong>use other means</strong> to answer your question.</li> +</ol> + +<h1 id="internal_review">1. Asking for an internal review <a class="hover_a" href="#internal_review">#</a> </h1> + +<p> + <% if @info_request %> + <%= link_to "Request an internal review", new_request_followup_path(:request_id => @info_request.id) + "?internal_review=1#followup", :class => 'link_button_green request-internal-review-action' %> and then write a message asking the authority to review your request. + <% else %> + At the bottom of the relevant request page on <%= site_name %> choose + "request an internal review". Then write a message asking for an internal + review of your request. You may want to include a link to the + request page, to make it clear which request you are talking about. + <% end %> +</p> + +<p>Internal reviews should be quick. If one takes longer than 20 working days + then the authority should write and let you know, and it should never take + longer than 40 working days (see this + <a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/foi_good_practice_guidance_5.pdf">good + practice guide</a>). + You will then either get the information that + you originally requested, or you will be told that the review upholds the + original decision. +</p> + +<h1 id="complaining">2. Complaining to the Information Commissioner <a class="hover_a" href="#complaining">#</a> </h1> + +<p>If you are still unhappy after the public authority has done their internal review, + then you can complain to the Information Commissioner. To do this read + <a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/freedom_of_information.aspx">Complaints about Freedom of Information</a> + on the Information Commissioner's website. If you requested information from a Scottish + authority, then <a href="http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/HowToAppeal/Appeal.asp">appeal + to the Scottish Information Commissioner</a>. +</p> + +<p>To make it easier to send the relevant information to the + Information Commissioner, either + <% if @info_request %> + include a link to your request + <strong><%=h request_url(@info_request) %></strong> + <% else %> + include a link to your request on <%= site_name %> +<% end %> +in your complaint or print out the whole page of your request and all attachments. +</p> + +<p><%= site_name %> has no special facilities for handling a request at this stage - it + passes into the Information Commissioner's system. You can leave annotations on your + request keeping people informed of progress.</p> + +<p>A warning. There is a backlog of work at the Information Commissioner, and + it can take literally years to get resolution from them. If you reach this point, + you should accept that you won't get the information quickly by this means. Maybe + you want to help the fight to improve Freedom of Information, or maybe + getting the information slowly is still worthwhile. You can also try and + get the information by <strong>other means...</strong></p> + +<h1 id="other_means">3. Using other means to answer your question <a class="hover_a" href="#other_means">#</a> </h1> + +<p>You can try persuing your problem or your research in other ways.</p> + +<ul> + <li>Make a <strong>new FOI request</strong> for summary information, or for + documentation relating indirectly to matters in your refused request. + <a href="<%= help_contact_path %>">Ask us for ideas</a> if you're stuck.</li> + <li>If any <strong>other public authorities</strong> or publicly owned companies are involved, + then make FOI requests to them.</li> + <li>Write to <strong>your MP</strong> or other politician using <a + href="http://www.writetothem.com">WriteToThem</a> and ask for their help + finding the answer. MPs can write directly to ministers or departments, and + can ask written questions in the House of Commons. Councillors in local authorities + can talk directly to council officers.</li> + <% if can_ask_the_eu?(@country_code) %> + <li> + Try <%= link_to 'asking for the information from the European Union', + 'http://www.asktheeu.org' %>. Every one of the 500 million people + living in the European Union (both citizens and residents) has the + legally guaranteed right to ask for information from EU authorities. + <%= link_to 'Ask The EU', 'http://www.asktheeu.org' %> is a version of + this website for the European Union. + </li> + <% end %> + <li>Ask <strong>other researchers</strong> who are interested in a similar + issue to yours for ideas. You can sometimes find them by browsing this site; + contact any registered user from their page. There may be an Internet + forum or group that they hang out in. If it is a local matter, use <a + href="http://www.groupsnearyou.com">GroupsNearYou</a> to find such a + forum.</li> + <li>You could form a small local campaign group and arrange a meeting + with staff from the authority.</li> +</ul>
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