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Referring to the Clearing House

The government established the Central Clearing House in 2004. Part of the Ministry of Justice, its primary functions relate to the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations. The unit:

• provides expert advice on complex, sensitive, or high profile requests for information
• ensures consistency across central government in the handling of these types of request
• works to develop, through litigation, the boundaries of the legislation in accordance with government policy

This toolkit provides information about how the Clearing House operates, and how best it can work with those who deal with requests for information. It explains when requests should be referred to the Clearing House, and how the ensuing process works. It now reflects the increased expertise in information rights across Whitehall, but the fundamental way in which the Clearing House operates - on a referral basis - has not changed.

• Working with the Central Clearing House: toolkit for practitioners (PDF 0.06mb 8 pages)
• Annex A: Departments and bodies within the remit of the Clearing House (PDF 0.03mb 2 pages)
• Referral triggers for freedom of information and Environmental Information Regulations requests to Ministry of Justice Clearing House (PDF 0.03mb 2 pages)
• Central Clearing House referral form (Word 0.22mb 2 pages)