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FOI full exemptions guidance

Section 44 - Prohibitions on Disclosure

Chapters: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04

Chapter 01: The exemption under section 44

Stating the exemption

Section 44 of the Freedom of Information Act provides that:

  1. "Information is exempt information if its disclosure (otherwise than under this Act) by the public authority holding it-
    • (a) is prohibited by or under any enactment,
    • (b) is incompatible with any Community obligation, or
    • (c) would constitute or be punishable as a contempt of court.
  2. The duty to confirm or deny does not arise if the confirmation or denial that would have to be given to comply with section 1(1)(a) would (apart from this Act) fall within any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1)."


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