Publication Scheme under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Part 1: Introduction
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities. A 'public authority' is defined in the Act, and includes but is not restricted to central and local government, non-departmental public bodies, the police, the health service and schools, colleges and universities. Any person who makes a request to a public authority for information must be informed whether the public authority holds that information and, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information.
Individuals already have the right of access to information about themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998. As far as public authorities are concerned, the Freedom of Information Act will extend this right to allow public access to all types of information held.
Every public authority will be required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme setting out the classes of information it holds, the manner in which it intends to publish the information, and whether a charge will be made for the information. The purpose of a scheme is to ensure a significant amount of information is available, without the need for a specific request. Schemes are intended to encourage organisations to publish more information pro-actively and to develop a greater culture of openness.
The SFO's intention is to publish as much information as possible on subjects in which there is known to be public interest. However, exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act may prevent some information from being released.
This scheme includes all material which is brought into existence with the specific purpose of making it public. It also includes material which is not brought into existence with the specific purposes of making it public, to the exclusion of any information for which exemption may be claimed under Part II of the Freedom of Information Act.
Part 2: The Serious Fraud Office
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was established by the Criminal Justice Act 1987, following the 1986 Fraud Trials Committee Report (the Roskill Report). Under that Act its role is to investigate and prosecute cases involving serious or complex fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland [and thus contribute to deterring such fraud].
The SFO's aims and objectives are:
- reducing fraud and the cost of fraud;
- the delivery of justice and the rule of law;
- maintaining confidence in the UK's business and financial institutions.
The creation of the SFO introduced a multi-disciplinary approach to the investigation and prosecution of serious fraud. Each case is allocated to a team led by an experienced lawyer. A case team includes lawyers, accountants, financial investigators, information technology and other specialists, law clerks and police officers. The SFO makes extensive use of private sector expertise as necessary, employing private sector accountants to assist in investigations and using counsel to prosecute.
The SFO is part of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) in the United Kingdom, and is affected by changes and developments in that system. To achieve its aims and objectives it must take into account, and be part of, developments in the wider world of law enforcement and financial regulation.
Part 3: The Purpose and Aim of this publication scheme
The Purpose and Aim of this publication scheme is to set out:
- What information the SFO publishes or intends to publish as a matter of course;
- How this information will be published;
- Whether the information will be available free of charge or on payment.
Part 4: Overview
The Freedom of Information Act requires a Publication Scheme to specify the classes of information that the public authority already publishes or intends to publish. The information classes in this Publication Scheme are broadly stated and described in a way that gives them wide applicability across the SFO; they therefore provide an umbrella for the classification of individual documents released by the areas that produce them.
Part 5: Requesting Information
At present there is press information and published reports available to view on the website. We are also making available extracts from the SFO Operational Handbook, which is currently under review, as they become available.
If you want to know more about how the SFO operates you can consult the SFO publication scheme which tells you about the information which is currently available to the public. If you are unable to find the information you want on the website or it is not available from the publication scheme, you can request the information from the SFO under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
To request the information you can send the SFO a request on the information.officer@sfo.gsi.gov.uk or you can write to the SFO Information Officer at:
The Information Officer
The Serious Fraud Office
10-16 Elm Street
London
WC1X 0BJ
information.officer@sfo.gsi.gov.uk
Please give details of the information you require, as well as your contact details. The SFO will not accept FOI requests by telephone.
We will endeavor to meet your request but there will be some information that the SFO will not be able to publish. Such information will come within one of the exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. We will let you know if we consider that an exemption applies. We will also tell you about how you can appeal against a refusal.
Part 6: Notes on using the scheme
The scheme is intended to provide guidance on finding information according to its type. Publication does not refer solely to printed material. Publication has been interpreted as broadly as possibly to include inclusion on the website, one-off printed documents from a desktop PC, electronic documents, printed books, reports and leaflets.
The Publication Scheme does not specify individual documents, although the annexed list does provide more detail.
Part 7: Serious Fraud Office Publication Scheme - Classes of Information
7.1 Our Organisation
Description - Information which gives a general description of the SFO's history, structure and organisation, and an overview of roles and responsibilities within the Department. The content of this class is detailed in the attached list of information.
Availability - By postal request & on the web
Cost - Postal requests may incur a charge
Notes - Some of the material in this class maybe withheld where we consider it is exempt, for example, where disclosure would prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs, the prevention and detection of crime, or would contravene the data protection principles contained within the Data Protection Act 1998.
7.2 Agreements, Plans and Reports
Description - Information about the SFO's current key operational targets, projects and strategies, and the results we achieve. The content of this class is detailed in the attached list of information.
Availability - By postal request and on the web
Cost - Postal requests may incur a charge
Notes - Some of the material in this class may be withheld where we consider it is exempt, for example, where the information relates to the formulation or development of government policy, or where disclosure would prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs, the prevention and detection of crime, or the publication would be in breach of a contempt order.
7.3 Standards of Service
Description - Information about the SFO's Charter Standards and our complaints procedures. The content of this class is detailed in the attached list of information.
Availability - By postal request and on the web
Cost - Postal requests may incur a charge
Notes - This class of information includes the current Annual Report
7.4 Access to Information
Description - Information about the SFO policies and procedures for complying with the obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 1998. The content of this class is detailed in the attached list of information.
Availability - By postal request and on the web
Cost - Postal requests may incur a charge
Notes - This class includes information on how to request information under the Data Protection Act, and how we use the information we hold.
7.5 Legislative Framework
Description - Copies of the sections of legislation that directly govern the work of the SFO.
Availability - By postal request
Cost - Free of charge
Notes - Full copies of the Acts can be obtained from Her Majesty's Stationary Office, for which they may levy a charge.
7.6 Procurement
Description - Information to advise suppliers about how they can sell their goods and services to the Department. The content of this class is detailed in the attached list of information.
Availability - By postal request
Cost - Free of charge
Notes - Some of the material in this class may be withheld where we consider it is exempt, for example, where disclosure would prejudice the commercial interests of a third party.
7.7 SFO Operational Policies
Description - SFO operational policies are published in the Staff Manual and provide best practice guidance and advice on the acceptance and running of investigation, and the managing of relationships with key parties.
Availability - By postal request
Cost - Free of charge
Notes - Some of the material in this class may be withheld where we consider it is exempt, for example, where the information relates to the formulation or development of government policy, or where disclosure would prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs, or the prevention and detection of crime.
7.8 Forms and Publications
Description - Notices, leaflets, forms, press announcements and similar publications produced by the Department for the public. The content of this class is detailed in the attached list of information.
Availability - By postal request on the web at;
Cost - Postal requests may incur a charge
Notes - SFO press releases back to 1999 are archived on the web. A hard copy archive is available back to 1988 and articles are available by postal request.
7.9 Finance and Audit
Description - Statutory reports to HM Treasury and the Attorney General. Also data relating to case costs and reports by the SFO's Internal Audit team and the National Audit Office.
Availability - By postal request and on the web
Cost - Postal requests may incur a charge
Notes - Some of the material in this class may be withheld where we consider it is exempt, for example, where the information relates to the formulation or development of government policy, or where disclosure would prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs, or the prevention and detection of crime.
7.10 Human Resources
Description - Information about the basic requirements for working for the SFO including our policies on equal opportunities, diversity and staff development. The content of this class is detailed in the attached list of information.
Availability - By postal request
Cost - Free of charge
Notes - Some of the material in this class may be withheld where we consider it is exempt from disclosure, for example, where disclosure would prejudice the prevention and detection of crime, or would contravene the data protection principles contained within the Data Protection Act 1998.
7.11 Accountability
Description - Published Parliamentary questions (PQ's) and responses relating to the Serious Fraud Office
Availability - By postal request
Cost - Free of charge
Notes - If you wish to search for PQ's (either Commons or Lords) from previous sittings of Parliament, or read the text of debates from either the main chambers or Westminster Hall, please visit the Hansard website; http://www.parliament.uk/hansard/hansard.cfm. Select which House you wish to have information on, and then click the search option at the bottom of the page.
Appendices: List of available information
This appendix lists the information available in each information class. Please refer to the section 7 of the Publication Scheme for a description of each information class, and whether exemptions may apply to specific documents within the class.
I. Our Organisation
Information available
History, Aims & Objectives
Description where required: Extract from staff manual - currently under review and being updated. Will be made available as soon as completed
- Director's Speeches
- Annual Report
- SFO Leaflet "How We Work"
- Organisational chart
- High level structure of SFO
II. Agreements, Plans and Reports
Information available
Management Board Minutes (MB)
Description where required: Minutes of Management Board (MB) that consists of the Director's
- Audit & Risk Committee Minutes
- Minutes of ARC (ARC)
- Memorandum of understandings
- Agreements between SFO & other government with other government bodies
- Project descriptions from
- Overview of internal SFO projects
- Programme of Improvements
- Publication Scheme
III. Standards of Service
Information available
- Up to date statistics on SFO
Performance
- SFO Complaints procedure
IV. Access to Information
Information available
SFO leaflet on dealing with
Description where required: Overview on how SFO deals with DPA requests
requests under DPA 1998
- SFO leaflet on dealing with FOI requests
- Requests under FOIA 2000
V. Legislative Framework
Information available
Criminal Justice Act 1987
Description where required: Key extracts from Act that establishes & empowers(As amended) the SFO's
- Rules and regulations made
under CJA 1987
VI. Procurement
Information available
Key commercial contacts
Description where required: The existence and nature of such contracts and names of counterparties not protected by privacy of contract
- Employing counsel for SFO cases
VII. SFO Operational Policies
Information available
- SFO Operational Handbook (This is currently in the process of being updated - we aim to publish by the end of February (2010).
Description where required: SFO background material and Policy guidance on procedures for the investigation and prosecution of serious and complex fraud
VIII. Forms & Publications
Information available
- Directors Speeches
- Directors Newsletters - Regular publication containing internal news
- Archive of Press Releases
- SFO Library Pack - Staff guidance on library facilities
- Booklet - quick guide to SFO
- Library catalogue - Lists of books and articles on various subjects
- Library list of periodicals received
- SFO General Information Booklet - Booklet issued to all external job applicants providing details of the aim of the SFO and basic employment requirements/entitlements
- Guidance Notes for Temporary Staff -Booklet for temporary staff providing general information on working within the SFO
IX. Finance & Audit
Information available
- Resource accounts - Annual audited accounts to HM Treasury
- Whole of government accounts - Consolidated accounts of Government depts.
- Departmental report - Annual report to parliament
- Annual report - Annual report to the Attorney General
- Autumn performance report - 6 monthly update of departmental report
- Service delivery agreement - Report to Treasury and parliament about SFO targets
- Main estimates - Estimates of future spend
- Supplementary estimates
- Payment performance statistics
- Cost awards - Costs awarded to SFO following trials or other proceedings
- Cost of cases
- Internal audit reports
- NAO management letters
- T&S instructions for staff and witnesses -Travel & subsistence
- Finance Manual - Working practices for staff
- Desk Instructions
X. Human Resources & Staff Policies
Information available
- Communications Policy
- Travel and Subsistence Policy
- Staff Guide - Document that details standards of conduct for employees
- Pay Bulletin - Occasional publication containing details and Updates on annual pay award and related matters
- Recruitment Guide - The recruitment policy for the SFO, and includes guidance on all aspects of the recruitment and selection process
- Job Advertisements - Miscellaneous advertisements published in the press and on the intranet
- SFO Competency Framework- Guidance for use of the competency framework, and Performance Appraisal including the appraisal process
- Training Bulletin- Occasional publication containing details of training and development opportunities
- Staff Induction Pack - Guidance Booklet issued to managers of new staff to assist managers with the induction process
- Staff Induction Pack - Your New Booklet issued to new employees to assist with the Job induction process
- Learning Resource Centre - Booklet containing list of learning and development Catalogue materials available in-house
- Training Progra mm e- list of courses and outlines available to staff
- Staff Induction Pack - History Booklet issued to new staff providing historical and Structure background details relating to the SFO
XI. Accountability
Information available
- Parliamentary Questions & Correspondence
- Annual Report
Part 8: Feedback
If you have any comments regarding the structure or content of the Scheme we would be pleased to hear them.
We are particularly interested in your views and ask you to consider the following when commenting:
- Did you know what types of information you were entitled to request?
- Did you find the structure clear and easy to navigate?
- Were you using the Scheme to find something specific?
- If so, did you find it or find where to apply for it?
- If you were browsing, was the information available useful?
- What types of information or topics would you like to see in this Publication Scheme that are not currently covered?
- Any other comments you would like to make.
Please send your comments by e-mail to: information.officer@sfo.gsi.gov.uk
