Scottish Government launches updated FOI Code of Practice

25 March 2026

The Scottish Government has today launched a revised and updated version of the 'Section 60' Code – the code of practice which sets out good practice for public bodies when discharging their functions under Scotland’s FOI Act and the EIRs. 

The newly-updated Code has been developed in close consultation with the Commissioner's team, with many of the updates informed by the examples of good practice we regularly encounter in our work, along with learning from the our decisions and consideration of the experience and expectations of both public authority staff and the public. 

We anticipate that the updated code will be an essential, practical and informative resource for public authorities as they continue to meet their responsibilities under FOI law.

Key updates include:

• Greater emphasis on the duty to publish information and advise and assist requesters alongside the duty to respond to requests
• Guidance on the use of non-corporate platforms and other developments in information technology
• Additional guidance on the handling of requests about services provided by outsourcing partners
• Updated guidance on seeking clarification
• Guidance on organisational roles and responsibilities in relation to FOI
• Further information on the role of interventions by the Commissioner to improve FOI practice.

The updated code will be an invaluable tool to the Commissioner in assessing and supporting public authority compliance with their FOI duties, so we strongly recommend that public authority staff familiarise themselves with the updated content as soon as possible.

The full version of the new Section 60 Code of Practice is available on the Scottish Government's website.