The Ombudsman has released a new guide with advice for agencies dealing with Official Information Act 1982 requests where Ministers might need to be involved.

The guide, Dealing with OIA requests involving Ministers, explains when it is lawful and reasonable for an agency to transfer a request to a Minister, consult a Minister on a request, or let the Minister know of the decision it has taken on a request.

The guide has practical resources including a flow chart, step by step work sheet, and case studies of actual complaints considered by the Ombudsman.