By Indicator detail
Please find below the lists of indicators that have been used to analyse each law. You can click on each of them and you will get the result for that indicator in each country.
| Country | Description | Scoring instructions | Max score | Finding | Points | Article | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 16(7) Where part of a record contains prohibited information, that part shall be severed from the record and the remainder shall be disclosed. | |
| Albania | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 17(6) If the restriction affects only part of the information request, the rest of the information is not refused to the applicant. The public authority clearly indicates the relevant parts of the rejected document, and based on which point of this Article is making this rejections. | |
| Antigua and Barbuda | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 25 If a request for information relates to a record containing information which, subject to this Part, falls within the scope of an exception specified in this Part, any information in the record which is not subject to an exception shall, to the extent it may reasonably be severed from the rest of the information, be communicated to the person making the request. | |
| Argentina | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | ARTÍCULO 12° — Información parcial. Los sujetos obligados deben brindar la información solicitada en forma completa. Cuando exista un documento que contenga en forma parcial información cuyo acceso esté limitado en los términos del artículo 8° de la presente ley, deberá suministrarse el resto de la información solicitada, utilizando sistemas de tachas. | |
| Armenia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 8(2) If a part of the information required contains data, the disclosure of which is subject to denial, than information is provided concerning the other part. | |
| Australia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 22 Access to edited copies with exempt or irrelevant matter deleted (1) This section applies if: (a) an agency or Minister decides: (i) to refuse to give access to an exempt document; or (ii) that to give access to a document would disclose information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the request for access; and (b) it is possible for the agency or Minister to prepare a copy (an edited copy) of the document, modified by deletions, ensuring that: (i) access to the edited copy would be required to be given under section 11A (access to documents on request); and (ii) the edited copy would not disclose any information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the request; and (c) it is reasonably practicable for the agency or Minister to prepare the edited copy, having regard to: (i) the nature and extent of the modification; and (ii) the resources available to modify the document; and (d) it is not apparent (from the request or from consultation with the applicant) that the applicant would decline access to the edited copy. (2) The agency or Minister must: (a) prepare the edited copy as mentioned in paragraph (1)(b); and (b) give the applicant access to the edited copy. (3) The agency or Minister must give the applicant notice in writing: (a) that the edited copy has been prepared; and (b) of the grounds for the deletions; and (c) if any matter deleted is exempt matter—that the matter deleted is exempt matter because of a specified provision of this Act. (4) Section 26 (reasons for decision) does not apply to the decision to refuse access to the whole document unless the applicant requests the agency or Minister to give the applicant a notice in writing in accordance with that section. | |
| Azerbaijan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 22.2. If access to the required information is part of a document restricted by law, only the public part may be provided. | |
| Bahamas | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 12. Partial access. (1) Where an application is made to a public authority for access to a record which contains exempt material, the authority shall grant access to a copy of the record with the exempt material deleted therefrom. (2) A public authority which grants access to a copy of a record in accordance with this section shall— (a) inform the applicant that the copy contained exempt material which has been deleted; and (b) inform the applicant of the statutory provision by virtue of which the deleted material is deemed to be exempt material. | |
| Bangladesh | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 9(9): "Notwithstanding anything contained in section 7, no request for information may be totally rejected on the ground that it is associated with information that is not mandatory for publication, and the portion of the requested information which in not mandatory for publication and is reasonably separable form the portion shall be provided to the applicant." | |
| Belgium | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Loi n° 94-1724, Article 6.4: " Lorsque, en application des §§ 1er à 3, un document administratif ne doit ou ne peut être soustrait que partiellement à la publicité, la consultation, l'explication ou la communication sous forme de copie est limitée à la partie restante" | |
| Belize | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | SECTION 19 (1) Where- (a) a decision is made not to grant a request for access to a document on the ground that it is an exempt document; (b) it is practicable for the Ministry or prescribed authority to grant access to a copy of the document with such deletions as to make the copy not an exempt document; and (c) it appears from the request, or the applicant subsequently indicates, that the applicant would wish to have access to such a copy, the Ministry or prescribed authority shall grant access to such a copy of the document. (2) Where access is granted to a copy of a document in accordance with subsection (1)- (a) the applicant shall be informed that it is such a copy and also be intormed of the provisions of this Act by virtue of which any matter deleted is exempt matter; and (b) section 21 does not apply to the decision that the applicant is not entitled to access to the whole of the document unless the applicant requests the Ministry or prescribed authority to furnish him with a notice in writing in accordance with that section. | |
| Brazil | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 7. Paragraph 2. When full access to information is not authorized because such information is partially classified, the access to the non-confidential part is granted by certificate, extract or copy, with the concealment of the portion under secrecy. | |
| Bulgaria | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 37(1) Grounds for refusal to grant access to public information is in place where: 1. the information requested is classified information or other protected information in cases prescribed by the law, as well as in cases described in art. 13, sub-art. 2; 2. the access is of a nature to affect third party's interests and the third party did not give its explicit written consent for the disclosure of the requested public information, unless there is overriding public interest; 3. access to the requested public information was provided to the applicant within the preceding six months. (2) In the cases described in sub-art. 1, partial access shall be granted to such parts of the information, access to which is not restricted. | |
| Canada | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 25 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, where a request is made to a government institution for access to a record that the head of the institution is authorized to refuse to disclose under this Act by reason of information or other material contained in the record, the head of the institution shall disclose any part of the record that does not contain, and can reasonably be severed from any part that contains, any such information or material. | |
| Cape Verde | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 10(8) Administrative documents subject to access restrictions are subject to partial communication, whenever it is possible to purge the information relating to the reserved matter. | |
| Chile | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | ARTICLE 11. El derecho de acceso a la información de los órganos de la Administración del Estado reconoce, entre otros, los siguientes principios:(...) e) Principio de la divisibilidad, conforme al cual si un acto administrativo contiene información que puede ser conocida e información que debe denegarse en virtud de causa legal, se dará acceso a la primera y no a la segunda. | |
| China | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 37 Where applications for disclosure of information include content that shall not be disclosed or that is not government information, but it can be distinguished, the administrative organ shall provide the applicant with the government information content that can be disclosed, and explain the reasons for the non-disclosed content. | |
| Colombia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | N/A | This is found in the jurisprudence on the subject. |
| Cook Islands | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 17. Deletion of information from documents – (1) Where the information requested is comprised in a document and there is a good reason for withholding some of the information contained in that document, the other information in that document may be made available by making a copy of that document available with such deletions or alterations as are necessary. (2) Where a copy of a document is made available under subsection (1) of this section, the Ministry or Minister of the Crown or organisation shall, subject to section 9 of this Act, give to the applicant in writing – (a) the reason for withholding the information; and (b) if the applicant so requests, the grounds in support of that reason, unless the giving of those grounds would itself prejudice the interests protected by section 6 or section 7 or section 8 of this Act and (in the case of the interests protected by section 8 of this Act) there is no countervailing public interest. | |
| Croatia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Art.15.5.: If the requested information contains data subject to restrictions from paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article, the remaining parts of information shall be made available. | |
| Czech Republic | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 12 - Terms of restrictions "The obligated body shall apply all restrictions to the right to information by providing the requested information including any supporting information, following the exclusion of all information that are to be excluded under the law. The right to deny information shall apply solely within the duration of the existence of the reason for such denial. In justified cases, the obligated body shall verify whether the reason for denial continues to exist." | |
| East Timor | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 8(7) Documents of a confidential nature shall be communicated in part where it is possible to purge the information relating to the subject matter. | |
| El Salvador | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | ARTICLE 30 En caso que el ente obligado deba publicar documentos que contengan en su versión original información reservada o confidencial, deberá preparar una versión en que elimine los elementos clasificados con marcas que impidan su lectura, haciendo constar en nota una razón que exprese la supresión efectuada. | |
| Estonia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 38. Access to information classified as internal only "(...) (2) If the grant of access to information may cause the disclosure of restricted information, it shall be ensured that only the part of the information or document to which restrictions on access do not apply may be accessed." | |
| Ethiopia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 29 When a request for access is made to a record of a public body containing information which may or shall be refused in terms of any provision of this proclamation, disclosure of that part of the record which does not contain exempted information may be allowed if it can reasonably be severed from any part that contains such information. | |
| Fiji | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 16. If - (a) a request is made for access to a document containing any exempt matter; (b) it is reasonably practicable to give access to a copy of the document from which the exempt matter has been deleted; and (c) it appears to the public agency concerned, whether from the particulars of the information specified in the request or after consultation with the person who made the request, that the person would wish to be given access to such a copy, the public agency must give access to the person accordingly. | Doesn't appear to allow discretion to refuse but (c) does not appear to be necessary. |
| Finland | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | [Principles of Openness] Article 10. [...] When only a part of a document is secret, access shall be granted to the public part of the document if this is possible without disclosing the secret part. | |
| France | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 6(3). | |
| Gambia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 34 (1) Where a portion of a record or document containing requested information is exempt from release under this Part, the exempt portion of the information shall be severed or redacted from the record or document and access to the remainder of the information shall be granted to the requester. (2) Where an Information Officer severs or redacts any portion of a record or document, he or she shall indicate the length or amount of information severed or redacted in response to the requester. | |
| Germany | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 7(2) Where an entitlement to partial access to information applies, the appurtenant application is to be granted to the extent to which information can be accessed without revealing information which is subject to confidentiality or without unreasonable administrative expenditure. The same shall apply where the applicant agrees to information concerning the interests of third parties being blanked out. | |
| Ghana | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 18(6) Where a public institution receives an application for access, part of which is exempt, the information officer shall disclose to the applicant as much of the information as can reasonably be separated without disclosing the exempt part. | |
| Guinea | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 36. Si l'information demandée est partiellement couverte par l'une des exceptions prévues aux articles 5, 6, 7, 8 de la présente loi, l'accès à cette information n'est permis qu'après retrait de la partie concernée par l'exception, autant que cela est possible. | "As much as possible" weakens this but still enough for full points. |
| Guyana | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 19(2) Where an application is made to the Commissioner of Information for access to an official document which contains exempt matter, the Commissioner of Information shall grant access to a copy of the document with the exempt matter deleted therefrom. | |
| Hungary | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 30(1) Should the document containing data of public interest also contain data that cannot be disclosed to the individual requesting the document, such data which cannot be disclosed must be made unrecognisable in the copy. | |
| Iceland | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 7. If the provisions of Art. 4-6 apply to only part of a document, the public shall be granted access to other contents of the document. The same principle applies to other types of material. | |
| India | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 10(1) Where a request for access to information is rejected on the ground that it is in relation to information which is exempt from disclosure, then, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, access may be provided to that part of the record which does not contain any information which is exempt from disclosure under this Act and which can reasonably be severed from any part that contains exempt information. (2) Where access is granted to a part of the record under sub-section (1), the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, shall give a notice to the applicant, informing (a) that only part of the record requested, after severance of the record containing information which is exempt from disclosure, is being provided; (b) the reasons for the decision, including any findings on any material question of fact, referring to the material on which those findings were based; (c) the name and designation of the person giving the decision; (d) the details of the fees calculated by him or her and the amount of fee which the applicant is required to deposit; and (e) his or her rights with respect to review of the decision regarding non-disclosure of part of the information, the amount of fee charged or the form of access provided, including the particulars of the senior officer specified under sub-section (1) of section 19 or the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission, as the case may be, time limit, process and any other form of access. | |
| Italy | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 5(4) No cost shall be applied to the data or documents released in an electronic format or in hard copy except for the cost actually incurred and duly documented by the administration for reproducing such data and documents on physical devices. | |
| Ivory Coast | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 15. Si une limitation au droit d’accès s’applique à une partie des informations contenues dans un document public, l’organisme public est tenu néanmoins de communiquer les autres informations contenues dans le document. Toute occultation est notifiée au requérant. | |
| Jamaica | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 11(1) Where an application is made to a public authority for access to an official document which contains exempt matter, the authority shall grant access to a copy of the document with the exempt matter deleted therefrom. | |
| Japan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 6 (Partial Disclosure) (1) In the case that Non-Disclosure Information is recorded in a part of an Administrative Document pertaining to a Disclosure Request, when it is possible to easily divide and exclude the portion in which the Non-Disclosure Information is recorded, the head of an Administrative Organ shall disclose to the Disclosure Requester the portion other than the excluded portion; provided, however, that this shall not apply when it is found that no meaningful information is recorded in the portion other than the excluded portion. (2) In the case that the information set forth in item 1 of the preceding Article (limited to information that can identify a specific individual.) is recorded in an Administrative Document pertaining to a Disclosure Request, and if by excluding the portion of the description, etc., that can identify the specific individual, such as a name or date of birth from the said information, it is found that disclosure of the information is not likely to cause damage to the rights and interests of an individual , the preceding paragraph shall be applied by deeming the portion other than the excluded portion as not being included in the information prescribed in the same item. | Article 6. |
| Jordan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 11(b) In case a part of this information is classified and the other part is not, the request shall be replied within the limits set forth in the Provisions of this Law. | |
| Kosovo | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 17(4) If only a part of a requested public document is covered by any of the exceptions listed in paragraph 2 of this Article, the remaining parts of the public document shall be released. | |
| Kyrgyzstan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 8.6. If the document contains information with limited access, only the part of the information to which access is not restricted is provided for review. | |
| Latvia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 10: "(4) If the entirety of the requested information also includes restricted access information, the institution shall provide only that part of the information, which is generally accessible. That part of the information, which includes restricted access information shall be provided taking into account the special procedures specified in this Law." | |
| Liberia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 4.7: "Partial Exemption: Where a portion of a document or record falls under the exemptions established in Sections 4.2 thru 4.6 above, only the exempted part(s) of the requested document shall be redacted from the original document and remaining portion released." | |
| Malawi | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 21. Where an information holder determines that part of the information requested is exempt from disclosure, the information holder shall disclose the remainder of the information which is not exempt from disclosure and shall, accordingly inform the person who made the request. | |
| Maldives | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 13(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1) of this section, where a request for information relates to that which has been exempt from this Act, and where that information is exempt because it contains a specific piece of information that can be deleted, and such deletion would remove it from the domain of an exempt information under the Act, then the State Institute in receipt of the request shall not refuse access to that information, if it is possible to grant access after deleting the exempt information. 21. Where an application is made for access to information, and part of that information is exempted from disclosure under this Act, having removed the exempted part, the remaining part of the information shall be disclosed. | |
| Malta | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Art. 5. "3. Provided that where it is possible to release a document with such data or information deleted, this shall be done in accordance with article 13(1) and (2)." Art. 13. "(1) Where a request is made to a public authority for a document which is an exempt document, but - (a) it is possible for the public authority to make a copy of the document with the deletion of the exempt matter; and (b) it is reasonably practical for the public authority, having regard to the nature and extent of the work involved in deciding on and making those deletions and the resources available for that work, to make such a copy, the public authority shall make such a copy available to the applicant." | |
| Mexico | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 107. Documents that are partially or wholly classified shall bear a legend indicating that status, the date of classification, the legal basis and, where appropriate, the confidentiality period. Article 106. The classification of information will take place at the time that: (I). A request of access to information is received; (II). It is determined by decision of the competent authority, or (III). Public versions are generated to comply with transparency obligations under this Act. Article 108. Regulated entities may not issue general or particular agreements that classify documents or information as confidential. The classification may be established in whole or in part according to the content of the Document information and should be consistent with the updating of the assumptions set out in this Title as classified information. In no case may Documents be classified before the information is generated. The classification of privileged information shall be based on a case-by-case basis, by applying the harm test. Article 109. The general guidelines issued by the National System regarding the classification of privileged and confidential information and for making public versions will be mandatory for the regulated entities Article 111. When a Document contains privileged or confidential parts or sections, regulated entities for purposes of meeting a request for information shall prepare a Public Version in which the parties or sections classified are crossed out, indicating their content in a generic way and providing the grounds for such classification. Article 112. The information contained in the transparency obligations cannot be omitted in the public versions. | |
| Moldova | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 7. Official information with limited access (3) If access to information, solicited documents, is partially limited, the information providers are required to present to the information seekers parts of the document, access to which is not prohibited by law, indicating in the places of omitted parts one of the following: "state secret", "commercial secret", "confidential information about the person". In these cases, the refusal of the access to the respective parts of the document, information, will be based on article 19 of the present law. | |
| Monaco | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 25(2) À ce titre, elle peut autoriser la consultation d’un document administratif dont sont ôtées, biffées ou disjointes des mentions dont la connaissance par le pétitionnaire entraînerait une atteinte à l’un des secrets ou des intérêts énoncés au deuxième alinéa de l’article précédent. | |
| Montenegro | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 8: "Any government agency shall be in obligation to make possible to any applicant to access the information or a part thereof, except in cases provided for by this Law. Article13: If any part of information is restricted, relevant government agency shall enable access to the information after deleting the part of such information that is restricted." | |
| Morocco | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 8. S'il s'avère qu'une partie des informations demandées entre dans le cadre des exceptions prévues par l'article 7 ci-dessus, il sera procédé à la suppression de cette partie et à la délivrance du reste des informations au demandeur. | |
| Namibia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 77. If a requester requests access to information, but a portion of a record or document containing requested information is exempted from release under this Part, the information officer if he or she decides to grant access must - (a) sever or redact the exempt portion of the information from the record or document; (b) grant the requester access to the remainder of the information; and (c) indicate the length or amount of information severed or redacted. | |
| Nepal | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 3(4) If a Public Body has both the information in its record that can be made public and that cannot be made public in accordance with this Act, the Information Officer shall have to provide information to the applicant after separating the information which can be made public. | |
| New Zealand | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 17 Deletion of information from documents (1) Where the information requested is comprised in a document and there is good reason for withholding some of the information contained in that document, the other information in that document may be made available by making a copy of that document available with such deletions or alterations as are necessary. (2) Where a copy of a document is made available under subsection (1), the department or Minister of the Crown or organisation shall, subject to section 10, give to the applicant (a) the reason for withholding the information; and (b) if the applicant so requests, the grounds in support of that reason, unless the giving of those grounds would itself prejudice the interests protected by section 6 or section 7 or section 9 and (in the case of the interests protected by section 9) there is no countervailing public interest. | |
| Nigeria | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 18 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, where an application is made to a public institution for information which is exempted from disclosure by virtue of this Act, the institution shall disclose any part of the information that does not contain such exempted information. | |
| North Macedonia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Art. 7 "If a document or any part thereof contains information mentioned in Article 6, paragraph (1) of the present Law, which may be separated from the document in question without jeopardizing its overall security, the information holder shall separate such information from the document and shall inform the requester on the contents of the remaining part of the document." | |
| Norway | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 11. (Enhanced access to information): "Where there is occasion to exempt information from access, an administrative agency shall nonetheless consider allowing full or partial access. The administrative agency should allow access if the interest of public access outweighs the need for exemption." | |
| Pakistan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 16(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act,- (a) a public body shall not be required to disclose exempt information,- (i) provided that where only part of a record or the information falls within the scope of the exceptions provided for in this Act, that part shall be severed and the residual record or information shall be provided to the applicant | |
| Panama | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Artículo 14: La información definida por esta Ley como de acceso restringido no se podrá divulgar, por un periodo de diez años, contado a partir de su clasificación como tal, salvo que antes del cumplimiento del periodo de restricción dejen de existir razones que justificaban su acceso restringido. Se considerará de acceso restringido, cuando así sea declarado por el funcionario competente, de acuerdo con la presente Ley: 1. La información relativa a la seguridad nacional, manejada por los estamentos de seguridad. 2. Los secretos comerciales o la información comercial de carácter confidencial, obtenidos por el Estado, producto de la regulación de actividades económicas. 3. Los asuntos relacionados con procesos o jurisdiccionales adelantados por el Ministerio Público y el Órgano Judicial, los cuales sólo son accesibles para las partes del proceso, hasta que queden ejecutoriados. 4. La información que versa sobre procesos investigativos realizados por el Ministerio Público, la Fuerza Pública, la Policía Técnica Judicial, la Dirección General de Aduanas, el Consejo Nacional de Seguridad y Defensa, la Dirección de Responsabilidad Patrimonial de la Contraloría General de la República, la Dirección de Análisis Financiero para la Prevención de Blanqueo de Capitales, la Comisión de Libre Competencia y Asuntos del Consumidor y el Ente Regulador de los Servicios Públicos. 5. La información sobre existencia de yacimientos minerales y petrolíferos. 6. Las memorias, notas, correspondencia y los documentos relacionados con negociaciones diplomáticas, comerciales e internacionales de cualquier índole. 7. Los documentos, archivos y transcripciones que naciones amigas proporcionen al paÃs en investigaciones penales, policivas o de otra naturaleza. 8. Las actas, notas, archivos y otros registros o constancias de las discusiones o actividades del Consejo de Gabinete, del Presidente o Vicepresidentes de la República, con excepción de aquellas correspondientes a discusiones o actividades relacionadas con las aprobaciones de los contratos. 9. La transcripción de las reuniones e información obtenida por las Comisiones de la Asamblea Legislativa, cuando se reúnan en el ejercicio de sus funciones fiscalizadoras para recabar información que podría estar incluida en los numerales anteriores. En caso de que las autoridades correspondientes consideren que deba continuarse el carácter de restringido de la información detallada en este artículo, corresponderá a los Órganos Ejecutivo, Legislativo o Judicial, según sea el caso, emitir resoluciones por las cuales se prorrogará hasta por un máximo de diez años adicionales, la restricción sobre la información mencionada en este artículo. En ningún caso el carácter de restringido podrá superar los veinte años, contados a partir de la primera clasificación, procediendo la divulgación de la información si antes del cumplimiento del periodo de restricción adicional dejaren de existir las razones que justificaban tal acceso restringido. El proceso de terminación de la restricción al acceso de la información opera de pleno derecho por el solo transcurso del tiempo, sin necesidad de resolución o acto administrativo alguno. En caso de que exista un documento que contenga en forma parcial información cuyo acceso se encuentre restringido en los términos de esta artículo, deberá proporcionarse el resto de la información que no esté exceptuada. | Article 14 of Law 6 of 2002. |
| Peru | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 19 Información parcial: En caso de que un documento contenga, en forma parcial, información que, conforme a los artículos 15, 16 y 17 de esta Ley, no sea de acceso público, la entidad de la Administración Pública deberá permitir el acceso a la información disponible del documento. | |
| Portugal | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Art 6.7: Administrative documents which are subject to restricted access shall be the object of partial communication whenever it is possible to expunge the information concerning the reserved matter. | |
| Russia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 19(4): (Procedure for Granting Information on the Activities of Government Bodies and Bodies of Local Self-Government by Request): If the requested information pertains to information of restricted access, the response to the request should specify the type, name, number and date of issue of the act, according to which access to this information is restricted. If part of the requested information relates to information of restricted access, and the remaining information is of public domain, the government body or body of local self-government is obliged to provide the required information, except for information of restricted access. | |
| Rwanda | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 4: Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 3 of this Law, information withheld by a public organ or private body to which this Law applies shall not be published when it may: (1) destabilize national security; (2) impede the enforcement of Law or justice; (3) involve interference in the privacy of an individual when it is not of public interest; (4) violate the legitimate protection of trade secrets or other intellectual property rights protected by the Law; (5) obstruct actual or contemplated legal proceedings against the management of public organ. If the request for information relates to record containing information in two (2) parts one part being not allowed to be published and the other part contains information that can be published as provided by this Law, the requesting person shall be provided with information allowed to be published. | |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 25 | |
| Serbia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 12:"If the requested information of public importance can be extracted from other information contained in the document a public authority is not obliged to allow the applicant insight in, the public authority shall allow the applicant insight in the part of the document containing only the extracted information." | |
| Seychelles | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 31(1) Where a portion of a record or document containing requested information is exempt from release under this Part, the exempt portion of the information shall be severed or redacted from the record or document and access to the remainder of the information shall be granted to the requester. (2) Where an Information Officer severs or redacts any portion of a record or document, the Information Officer shall indicate the length or amount of information severed or redacted in the response to the requester. | |
| Sierra Leone | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 26. If a request for information relates to a record containing information which falls within the scope of an exception in this Part, any information in the record which is not subject to an exception shall, to the extent it may reasonably be severed from the rest of the information, be provided to the applicant. | |
| Slovakia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 12 Terms of Limitation: \"The obliged person shall exercise any limitation of the right to information by making the requested information, including accompanying information, av ailable, after excluding the information stipulated by law. The entitlement to refuse the disclosure of in formation shall only last as long as the reason for non- disclosure exists.\" | |
| Slovenia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Art 7 (Partial access): "If a document or a part of a document contains only a part of the information referred to in the preceding Article, which may be excluded from the document without jeopardizing its confidentiality, an authorized person of the body shall exclude such information from the document and refer the contents or enable the re-use of the rest of the document to the applicant." | |
| South Africa | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 28. (1) If a request for access is made to a record of a public body containing information which may or must be refused in terms of any provision of Chapter 4 of this Part, every part of the record which— (a) does not contain; and (b) can reasonably be severed from any part that contains, any such information must, despite any other provision of this Act, be disclosed. (2) If a request for access to— (a) a part of a record is granted; and (b) the other part of the record is refused, as contemplated in subsection (1), the provisions of section 25(2), apply to paragraph (a) of this section and the provisions of section 25(3) to paragraph (b) of this section. | |
| South Korea | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 14 Where any information, the disclosure of which is requested, consists of a part falling under any subparagraph of Article 9 (1) and the other part which may be disclosed, if it is possible to separate the two parts without being contrary to the purpose of requesting the disclosure of such information, the information shall be disclosed with the exception of the part falling under any subparagraph of Article 9 (1). PD 13: Where a partial disclosure of information is decided pursuant to Article 14 of the Act, a public institution shall specifically and explicitly indicate the grounds of non-disclosure of information and the method and procedure for raising an objection with respect to the part undisclosed. | |
| South Sudan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 24 | |
| Spain | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Artículo 16 (Acceso parcial): En los casos en que la aplicación de alguno de los límites previstos en el artículo 11 no afecte a la totalidad de la información, se concederá el acceso parcial previa omisión de la información afectada por el límite salvo que de ello resulte una información distorsionada o que carezca de sentido. En este caso, deberá indicarse al solicitante que parte de la información ha sido omitida. | |
| Sri Lanka | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 6. Where a request for information is refused on any of the grounds referred to in section 5, access shall nevertheless be given to that part of any record or document which contains any information that is not exempted from being disclosed under that section, and which can reasonably be severed from any part that contains information exempted from being disclosed. | |
| Sweden | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Chapter 2, Article 12, Paragraph 1: "An official document to which the public has access shall be made available on request forthwith, or as soon as possible, at the place where it is held, and free of charge, to any person wishing to examine it, in such form that it can be read, listened to, or otherwise comprehended. A document may also be copied, reproduced, or used for sound transmission. If a document cannot be made available without disclosure of such part of it as constitutes classified material, the rest of the document shall be made available to the applicant in the form of a transcript or copy." | |
| Taiwan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 18 The government information as follows shall be restricted from making available to the public or provision: (...) Government information containing materials that are restricted from making available to the public or provision, as specified in the above paragraphs, shall make other part of such information available to the public or be provided. | Art 18 |
| Tajikistan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 14(1)(d) | |
| Tanzania | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 6 (1) Notwithstanding the provision of section 5, the information holder may withhold the information where he- (a) is satisfied that all the information or part of the information is exempted under subsection (2) Section 11(1) Where access to information is requested, the information holder to which the request is made shall, as soon as practicable but not exceeding thirty days after the request is received- (a) give written notice to the person who made the request as to whether the information exists and, if it does, whether access to the information or part thereof shall be given; and (b) if access is to be given, promptly give the person requesting access to the information or part thereof in a manner prescribed under this Act. Section 14(1) Where the information holder refuses to give access to information requested, either in whole or in part, such information holder shall, in writing, notify the person requesting the information of the refusal and shall, in the notification: (a) set out reasons for the refusal and all material issues relating to the decision, including the specific provision of this Act and the factors taken into consideration in relation to the public interest; (b) inform the person who made the request of the availability of a review in accordance with section 19 within which an application for review may be made; (c) where the decision is to the effect that the information does not exist, state that a thorough and diligent search was made to locate the information. Regulation 7.(1) Where a request for access to information is rejected on the ground that it is in relation to information which is exempt from disclosure, then, notwithstanding the provision of the Act, access may be provided to part of the information which does not contain any information which is exempt from disclosure under the Act and which can reasonably be severed from any part that contains exempt information. (2) Where access is granted to a part of an information under sub-regulation (1), an information holder shall give a notice to the applicant informing the following: (a) that only part of the information requested, after severance of the information which is exempt from disclosure, is provided; (b) the reason for the decision; and (c) the name and designation of the person giving the decision; (d) his rights with respect to review regarding non disclosure of part of the information. | The law includes several references to part of the information being exempt but not clear that, in this case, the rest must be disclosed if possible. But this seems to be clarified in the Regulations. |
| Togo | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 13 : Lorsque le droit d'accès ne peut s'exercer que sur une partie de l'information ou du document publics, seule cette partie est communiquée au requérant. | Not quite a direct statement on this but seems to provide for the same thing. |
| Trinidad and Tobago | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 16. (2) Where - (a) a decision is made not to grant a request for access to a document on the ground that it is an exempt document; (b) it is practicable for the public authority to grant access to a copy of the document with such deletions a to make the copy not an exempt document; and (c) it appears from the request, or the applicant subsequently indicates, that the applicant would wish to have access to such a copy, the public authority shall give the applicant access to such a copy of the document. | |
| Tunisia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Art. 27 - Si l’information demandée est partiellement couverte par l’une des exceptions prévues aux articles 24 et 25 de la présente loi, l’accès à cette information n’est permis qu’après occultation de la partie concernée par l’exception, autant que cela est possible. | |
| Turkey | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 9 (Exempting the Classified Information): "Were the required information or the document contain classified elements, such information shall be set a aside if separable and the applicant shall be notified of the grounds for this exemption." | |
| Uganda | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 19. Severability (1) Where a request for access is made for a record containing information which is required or authorized or to be refused under Part III, then every part or the record, which does not contain any such information shall be disclosed notwithstanding any other provision of this Act. (2) Where a request for access to - (a) a part of a record is granted; and (b) the other part of the record is refused, in accordance with subsection (1), section 16(2), applies to paragraph (a) of this subsection and section 16(3) to paragraph (b) of this subsection. | S. 19 |
| Ukraine | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 6.7 Access shall be limited to information and not to the document. If document contains information with limited access, information access to which was not limited shall be made available for examination. | |
| United States | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | Art 2 mentions severability | |
| Uruguay | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | N/A | Regs Art 7 |
| Vanuatu | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 23. Partial grant of access (1) If an application for access to information contains an exempt matter, the Right to Information Officer must delete the exempt matter before granting access to the information. (2) If access to information is granted with the deletion of the exempted matter, the applicant must be notified of: (a) the deletion of the exempt matter; and (b) the information to which access has been granted; and (c) his or her right of appeal under section 64; and (d) the information to which access has been denied and the statutory provision by virtue of which the exempted matter is deleted. | - |
| Yemen | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 19(b): "If the employee in charge found that part of the information required is under one or more exceptional articles as specified in this law, and that it is based on this exception, then, he would have to deliver the part that is not excluded and deliver a notice to the applicant in writing that there is a part of the information that was withheld from him, specifying in writing the specific exception in this law upon which the employee in charge has relied to with hold the requested information." | 19(b) - requires that portions that aren't exempted be delivered. |
| Zambia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 32 | |
| Zimbabwe | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 2 | 8(8) Notwithstanding subsection (7), an information officer may, as soon as possible, provide information to an applicant after having severed and redacted all relevant third party information in accordance with section 14: Provided that such third party information is immaterial to the information being requested. 14. Where any information is contained in a record or document with information protected in terms of this Act, the protected information shall be severed from the record or document and access to the remainder of the information shall be granted to the applicant. | |
| Andorra | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | YES | 1 | "Article 11.3 In the event that the limitations provided for in paragraph 1 apply only to certain parts of the information requested public access, access is agreed in part, omitting the affected party, unless distorted or meaningless information. The entity concerned must separate the reserved information from the accessible and must indicate to the applicant what part of the information has been omitted." "Article 11.3 En cas que les limitacions previstes a l’apartat 1 s’apliquin únicament a determinades parts de la informació pública sol·licitada, l’accés s’acorda de manera parcial, ometent la part afectada, excepte que en resulti una informació distorsionada o sense sentit. L’entitat concernida ha de separar la informació reservada de la que sigui accessible i ha d’indicar al sol·licitant quina part de la informació ha estat omesa." | |
| Angola | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | 8(4) Documents containing personal data can further be communicated to third parties when, by their nature, it is possible to delete the personal data without having to recreate the documents and without the danger of easy identification. | 8(4) - though this is very limited. |
| Austria | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | 6(2) If the requirements of para. 1 only apply to part of the information, only this part shall be subject to confidentiality. 9(2) If the right to information exists only in part with regard to the information requested (Section 6 (2)), the information shall be provided to this extent, provided this is possible and does not involve disproportionate effort. | The reference to "disproportionate effort" is a bit vague and may be open to abuse in situations involving large numbers of documents. |
| Benin | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | 80: L’agent ou le responsable public qui a reçu une demande est appelé, avec diligence et, dans les cinq (05) jours francs qui suivent la date de la réception à: - informer le requérant que l’organisme public ne détient pas le document ou le renseignement demandé ou que l’accès ne peut lui y être donné en tout ou en partie | Not set out properly but does seem to be some recognition of this idea. |
| Bolivia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | 14. In case a document contains partial information, the public entity must allow access to all the information that is available. | Not very clear but seems to be some sort of a severability clause. |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 10 Severance "If part of the requested information is determined to be exempt, the competent authority shall sever that part and disclose the remainder of the information unless the severance has rendered it incomprehensible." | The authority shall sever the part of the document unless the deletion render meaningless the document. |
| Costa Rica | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | N/A | Not clearly stated in Decree 40200 but 1 point given because Constitutional Court decisions have affirmed the principle that when some information is confidential the rest should be disclosed with an explanation. See Res. 952-2006 del 31 de enero del 2006 and Res. 5747-2013 del 26 de abril del 2013, as excerpted at https://www.pgr.go.cr/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Respuesta.pdf; Res. 6513-2006 del 12 de mayo del 2006 and Res. 3849-2013 del 22 de marzo del 2013, as excerpted at https://www.pgr.go.cr/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/TryAmite_de_solicitudes.pdf. |
| Denmark | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | Chapter 3, Section 12.2 "Where paragraph 1 applies only to part of a document, the party requesting access shall be allowed to see the remaining contents of the document." However it doesn't apply if; 1) it will cause a surrender of it or the reasons referred to in 30-33, 2) it will involve the granting of a clearly misleading information, or 3) the remaining contents of the document does not have an understandable or coherent semantic content. | |
| Guatemala | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | Artículo 19. El titular de cada sujeto obligado debe designar al servidor público, empleado u órgano interno que fungirá como Unidad de Información, debiendo tener un enlace en todas las oficinas o dependencias que el sujeto obligado tenga ubicadas a nivel nacional. | Article 19 requires severability for confidential information, but there is no such provision for reserved information. |
| Indonesia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | 22(7) No later than 10 (ten) working days from the receipt of the request, the Public Agency concerned shall provide a written notification to the applicant that contains: [...] (e) in the event that a document contains exempt information as referred to in Article 17, such exempt information may be blackened with the reason and the subject thereof; [...] | Optional - "may." |
| Ireland | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 18(1) Where an FOI request would fall to be granted but for the fact that it relates to a record that is an exempt record, by reason of the inclusion in it, with other matter, of particular matter, the head of the FOI body concerned, shall, if it is practicable to do so, prepare a copy, in such form as he or she considers appropriate, of so much of the record as does not consist of the particular matter aforesaid and the request shall be granted by offering the requester access to the copy. (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a record if the copy provided for thereby would be misleading. (3) Where a requester is offered access to a copy of part of a record under this section, then (unless the record is one to which section 28(5), 31(4), 32(2), 33(4), 35(4), 36(4) or 37(6) applies), the notice under section 13(1) concerned shall specify that such access is offered pursuant to this section and that the copy does not purport to be a copy of the complete record to which the FOI request relates and shall also specify the nature of the matter contained in the record by virtue of which subsection (1) applies to the record. | Sometimes can be refused if "the copy provided for thereby would be misleading". |
| Israel | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | 11. If the public authority is entitled or obliged not to provide the requested information under Section 9 above, and omitting particulars, changing the information, or imposing conditions on how it is received and used, make it possible to disclose the information without an unreasonable allocation of resources, or placing a heavy burden on the authority's activity, the authority shall provide the information with such omissions, changes, or compulsory conditions, as are required; if such omissions or changes have been made, the authority shall make note of them to the applicant, unless this fact must not be disclosed for reasons listed in Section 9(a)(1). | 11 - but this is only done if it won't require too many resources. |
| Kuwait | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | 10. In case the application contains more than one piece of information, of which some is within the scope of the protection of privacy (understood as confidentiality) stipulated in this law, the authority shall partition the application whenever possible, or else it shall be rejected. | Limited rule on severability which seems to grant some discretion to refuse to sever. |
| Luxembourg | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | A6: Ne sont communicables qu’à la personne concernée les documents qui : comportent des données à caractère personnel ; (i) comportent des données à caractère personnel ; Si la demande porte sur un document qui contient également des données à caractère personnel d’autres personnes nommément désignées ou facilement identifiables, le document n’est communiqué à la personne à l’origine de la demande que s’il est possible pour les organismes visés à l’article 1er, paragraphe 1er, d’occulter ou de disjoindre, sans charge administrative excessive, les données personnelles des autres personnes concernées par ce document ou si celles-ci en donnent leur accord écrit. (ii) comportent une appréciation ou un jugement de valeur sur la personne physique concernée, nommément désignée ou facilement identifiable ; Si la demande porte sur un document qui comporte également une appréciation ou un jugement de valeur sur d’autres personnes nommément désignées ou facilement identifiables, le document n’est communiqué à la personne à l’origine de la demande que s’il est possible pour les organismes visés à l’article 1er, paragraphe 1er, d’occulter ou de disjoindre, sans charge administrative excessive, les informations relatives aux autres personnes concernées par ce document ou si celles-ci en donnent leur accord écrit. (iii) comportent une opinion communiquée à titre confidentiel à l’administration, à moins que le caractère confidentiel du document n’ait été levé par la personne qui est à l’origine du document. | Very limited redaction for private information only. |
| Netherlands | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | Section 5. Paragraph 2: The applicant shall receive written notification of a refusal to disclose all or part of the information for which he applied in writing. If the application was made verbally, the applicant shall receive, on request, written notification of the refusal. This option shall be brought to the attention of the applicant. | It\'s not clearly defined, but can be deduced that when part of a document is covered by an exception, the rest of the document shall be granted to the access. |
| Nicaragua | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | Artículo 16.- El acuerdo que en su caso clasifique la información como reservada, deberá indicar la fuente de información, la justificación por la cual se clasifica, las partes de los documentos que se reservan, el plazo de reserva y la designación de la autoridad responsable de su conservación. Toda información o las partes de una información que no estén expresamente reservadas, se considerarán de libre acceso público. | Art 16 implies that documents may be partially classified, but this is not explicit. In the absence of an expert reviewer to clarify interpretation, I will award 1 point. |
| Poland | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | No direct severability clause mentioned. However, Article 5.1 states \"The right to public information is subject to limitation to the extent...\" which means that the rest of the document not covered by exceptions has to be made available. | |
| San Marino | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | Partially | 1 | 29 (7). Acceptance of a request for access to a document entails the right of access to the other documents referred to in the same document and belonging to the same procedure, subject to the exceptions laid down by law and in Article 30. 31(3). In any case, administrative documents that fall under the cases provided for in Article 30 or that contain data, mentioninings or information of a personal nature may not be made public before such data, mentions or information have been redacted or before they have been processed in such a way as to make it impossible to identify the persons named therein unless they consent to it. 30. 1. Access is excluded for all acts and documents expressly declared confidential by law. 2. Access shall be limited, deferred, or denied if it would cause prejudice... | 1 point has been awarded out of an abundance of caution, as it does allow for some documents to be redacted. However, the legislation does not have appear to impose a duty to in fact redact these documents. |
| Burkina Faso | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned |
| Cyprus | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned |
| Dominican Republic | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Ecuador | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned |
| Georgia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | There is no severability clause. |
| Greece | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Honduras | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Iran | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Kazakhstan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Kenya | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Lebanon | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Liechtenstein | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned in law nor regulation. |
| Lithuania | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Mongolia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Mozambique | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned |
| Niger | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned. | |
| Palau | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned | |
| Paraguay | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | |
| Philippines | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | |
| Qatar | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | :مادة 13 على الإدارة المختصة إخطار طالب المعلومات بقبول الطلب كلياً أو جزئياً أو برفض الطلب وأسباب الرفض ... 13. The competent administration must notify the information requester of the acceptance of the application in whole or in part or of the rejection of the application and the reasons for the rejection... |
The law allows for partial information to be delivered, but there is no clear severability clause with an explicit requirement to provide partial records. |
| Republic of Belarus | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned | |
| Romania | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned. | |
| Saudi Arabia | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Sudan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned |
| Switzerland | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned. | |
| Thailand | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned |
| United Kingdom | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | No severability clause included in the Act. |
| Uzbekistan | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned |
| Venezuela | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned |
| Vietnam | There is a severability clause so that where only part of a record is covered by an exception the remainder must be disclosed. | Score 1 point if yes but sometimes can be refused (eg: if deletions render meaningless the document) and 2 points if partial access must always be granted | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
