Making a Freedom of Information request

Are you OK with cookies?

We use small files called ‘cookies’ on lawcom.gov.uk. Some are essential to make the site work, some help us to understand how we can improve your experience, and some are set by third parties. You can choose to turn off the non-essential cookies. Which cookies are you happy for us to use?

Analytics cookies
Name	Purpose	Expires
_ga	These help us count how many people visit on lawcom.gov.uk by tracking if you’ve visited before	2 years
_gid	These help us count how many people visit on lawcom.gov.uk by tracking if you’ve visited before	24 hours
_gat	These help us to manage how we collect analytics when we have lots of visitors on the site at one time	10 minutes

All users
Name	Purpose	Expires
wordpress_test_cookie	This is used to test whether the browser accepts cookies	When you close your browser
PHPSESSID	This is used to link your device to the information sent to the server from your browser. It is typically used to avoid you having to retype information when moving from one page to another.	When you close your browser
ccfw_wp_plugin.banner.hidden	Lets us know you have chosen which cookies are used so we can stop the cookie banner appearing when you return to the site.	1 year
ccfw_wp_plugin.ga.accept	Lets us know you have accepted Google Analytics cookies so we can stop them loading when you return to the site.	1 year

Logged in users
Name	Purpose	Expires
wordpress_[hash]	This authenticates you when you log in to the admin area	When you close your browser
wordpress_logged_in	This shows the site that you’re logged in and who you are so you can access the functions you need	When you close your browser
wordpress_sec	If you are logged in as a site admin, this stores your authentication details.	When you close your browser
wp-settings-{time}-[UID]	The number on the end [UID] is your individual user ID from the users database.	1 year

We already make a lot of information available. Before you request information from us, please:

Search our website for the information
Check our publication scheme
Find out if we have already released the information

Making your request

When you send us your request please:

Be specific. You will get the information faster if you help us identify the exact information you require. Make sure that you provide us with a narrow, tightly focused request and give, where appropriate, a relevant time-frame, for example, 1999 to 2000 or January to April 1985.

Let us know how you would like the information provided, for example, by post or email. We will try to meet your preference whenever we can.

Provide your contact details. We may need to get in touch with you to discuss your request. It would help if you could tell us how you would prefer us to contact you if we need to do so.

Please make your request in writing, either by email or by post to:

Freedom of Information
Law Commission
1st Floor, Tower
52 Queen Anne’s Gate
London
SW1H 9AG

When we receive your request

We aim to reply to you promptly and are obliged under the law to provide a response within 20 working days. Some information may not be available because it falls within one of the exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. When that happens, we will tell you which exemption applies.

Will I be charged for the information?

Website – there is no charge for the information that is available on our website.

Email – there is no charge for information that is provided electronically. Email your request for information. Include the words “publication scheme” in the subject heading.

Post – if you ask for information that is available on our website to be provided in paper format, it may be necessary to make a charge. Each case is considered separately. For example, there may be a charge if a large amount of photocopying is required or if the cost of postage is very high.

What we cannot do

The Commission does not give legal advice to individuals on points of law or individual cases, nor do we investigate complaints about the law or about lawyers. We are happy to provide information about our projects. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide legal research to assist with student assignments.

Reviews and appeals

If you are not happy with how we have handled your request for information, you can ask us to conduct an internal review of the request. Please contact our FoI co-ordinator, who will explain and initiate the internal procedure for you.

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have a right of appeal to the Information Commissioner at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.