FOI internal review | ConsumerWise

Define the review

An internal review should identify what you say was wrong with the handling or decision.

Keep the original request, response and review grounds together. If the authority withheld information, identify the part you dispute and why. If the problem is delay or handling, state the chronology and the procedural issue.

Quote the FOI reference.
Separate each review ground.
Do not claim an exemption cannot apply unless you can explain why.
If the dispute concerns the public-interest test, identify the factors you say were missed or misweighed.

Editable template

Version 1: review of refusal or partial disclosure

Use this where information was withheld, the scope was misunderstood or only part of the request was answered.

How to edit it: replace everything in square brackets with your own details. If a bracketed paragraph does not apply, delete it before sending.

Subject: Request for internal review: FOI [reference]

Dear [public authority / FOI review team],

Please conduct an internal review of your response dated [date] to my FOI request [reference].

Ground 1: [for example: part of the request was not answered]
Original request: [quote or summarise the relevant item]
Your response: [brief summary]
Why I seek review: [clear reason]

Ground 2: [for example: exemption / public-interest reasoning / scope]
Your position: [brief summary]
Why I seek review: [explain the issue]
Evidence or context: [document/date, if relevant]

[Add or remove grounds as needed.]

Please reconsider each ground and provide a reasoned internal-review outcome. If information continues to be withheld, please identify the exemption relied on and provide the required reasoning, including the public-interest assessment where applicable.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name]

Editable template

Version 2: review of delay or handling

Use this where the main complaint is that the request was not handled within the expected process or time.

How to edit it: replace everything in square brackets with your own details. If a bracketed paragraph does not apply, delete it before sending.

Subject: Request for internal review: handling of FOI [reference]

Dear [public authority / FOI review team],

Please conduct an internal review of the handling of my FOI request [reference].

Chronology
[Date]: request submitted
[Date]: [acknowledgement / clarification / response / other event]
[Date]: [deadline or further event]

My concern is:
[for example: no substantive response / unexplained delay / incorrect treatment of part of the request / failure to issue a proper refusal notice].

Please review the handling of the request, explain what occurred and provide the outstanding response or other corrective action that follows from the review.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name]

Official & related guidance

Check the route that applies to your situation.

Internal-review procedures can vary between authorities. Check the authority’s response and published review process for its stated deadline and method.