Right of access to public documents
Description
You have the right to demand access to public documents, journals and similar registers. All case documents in the municipality are public domain unless an exception has been made pursuant to the law. Even though a document may be exempted from public disclosure, the municipality shall nevertheless consider whether parts or the entire document shall be accessible. A document is not restricted to paper-based information, but in principal all information which has been stored. Nevertheless, you have the right of access only to databases where the content can be searched in a simple manner.
You may be denied the right of access to internal documents, but as a general rule you should nevertheless have the right of access to:
- Agendas or case documents related to the municipal council or another elected body
- Documents to/from the municipal control authorities, appeal board or municipal auditor
- Documents to/from entities in the administration that have independent decision-making powers in the matter to which the document relates.
Criteria/conditions
If you demand the right of access to documents, this demand must relate to a specific matter, or what is reasonably considered to cover a specific subject.
Price
The municipality may charge for print-outs, copies and for forwarding when this concerns more than 100 pages in a matter. A charge of NOK 1 may be made for each page over 100 and for the entire forwarding. Special charges apply to high quality copies.
Administrative procedure
Guidelines – applying for, or receiving the service
A public post journal is a list of incoming and outgoing post to a public body. Here you will find the title of the case and the document together with the names of the sender and the recipient. When you have found the document you wish to order, you may demand the right of access, either in written form or orally. The municipality is obliged to assist you in finding documents in its archive system.
Administration time
Claims to access public documents shall be determined as quickly as possible. Normally, this means within one to three working days. If you have not received a reply within five working days from when the municipality received your request, this is regarded as a refusal.
Possibilities to appeal; procedure
If your claim is refused, the municipality shall refer to the provision forming the basis for its refusal. The municipality shall also notify you of the appeals procedure and the time limit. The county governor is the appeal body, but the appeal must be sent to the municipality. You also have the right to appeal if you have not received a reply within five working days of the municipality having received your request. This is considered as a refusal.
The appal shall be sent at the earliest convenience. In connection with the consideration of the appeal, the county governor may decide that the document may be inspected in part or in whole pursuant to the rules.
Dato opprettet
21.04.2009 13:28:52
Dato oppdatert
04.05.2010 13:34:05
