How to make a Freedom of Information request

On this page:

First steps
What you need to do
How much does it cost?
Where to send your request
How long does it take?
Requesting a review of our decision

First steps

We receive many information requests on a daily basis and we provide a wide range of information to those who contact us.

To help you find the information you are interested in please check that the information is not already available on our website before making your request:

our Annual Report covers how we funded services from the Community Legal Service and Criminal Defence Service and how we exercised our other functions. It also includes information on how we are performing against our priorities and targets and contains our financial reports.
we also publish a statistical analysis of our work
our national and local press releases
our Publication Scheme sets out the classes of information that we routinely publish or intend to publish in the future. It also indicates where you may obtain the information from and whether or not it will cost you anything to obtain it
our disclosure log includes details of selected requests and the information we have disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act.

Making a request

To make a request for information that is not readily available, you need to write to us stating:

your full name
your address
a description of the information you require.

Requests must be in writing and must include your name and an address (either postal or email). Please be as specific as possible about the information you would like and mark your letter “Freedom of Information request”.

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 and why the information cannot be released.

How much does it cost?

Simple requests for information will be dealt with free of charge.

However, if your request requires us to divert resources to collate a significant amount of information, we may charge in accordance with the fees regulations made under the act.

You will be told in advance if a charge will be applied.

Where to send your request

If you have dealt with us before, you should write to the team or department that you have been dealing with.

Contact details for our regional offices are available on our regional network pages.

If you have not been in contact with us before, you can write to the Information Compliance Team.

Email: foi@legalservices.gov.uk
Fax: 020 7783 7633

Post:

Information Compliance Manager
Legal and Governance
Legal Services Commission
4 Abbey Orchard Street
London
SW1P 2BS

DX: 328 London

How long does it take?

Under the Act, we are obliged in most cases to provide the information to you within 20 working days.

Requesting a review of our decision

If you are unhappy or dissatisfied with the way we have dealt with your request you have a right to request a review of our decision. Further details can be found in our Access to Information leaflet under Documents.

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Last updated: 12 May 2009