Although the principle of maximum disclosure underpins all RTI laws, it is recognised that the right to information is not absolute. Not all information can be disclosed to the public particularly if it relates to sensitive information falling under exemption provisions" or "exclusion clauses" under the law. In jurisdictions across the world guidelines have been produced to assist officials to apply the various exemptions available under their law. These guidance notes cover topics such as:

Public Interest Override

• JISC Legal Information and Dundas & Wilson (2004) Applying the Public Interest Test to Higher Educational Institutions in Scotland.
• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Public Interest.
• Meredith Cook (2003) Balancing the Public Interest: Applying the Public Interest Test to Exemptions in the UK Freedom of Information Act 2000.
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (2003) Information Sheet: Public Interest Balancing Tests in the FOI Act.
• Western Australian Information Commissioner (1996) FOI Policy and Practice Manual: Chapter 7 - Applying the Public Interest Test, guidance manual for all officials processing requests under the FOI Act.
• Jamaican Access to Information Unit (undated) Guidance on Applying the Public Interest Test.
• Northern Territory [Australia] Information Commissioner (undated)Guidance on Applying the Public Interest Test.
• Scottish Information Commission (undated) Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 Briefings Series - The Public Interest Test.

Exemptions

General

• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Prejudice and Adverse Affect.
• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Information Given in Confidence.
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (2001) Information Sheet on Applying Exemption re Information Communicated in Confidence.
• Western Australian Information Commissioner (2001) Guide on Applying Exemption to information Obtained by Means of "Confidential Communication".
• Western Australian Information Commissioner (1996) FOI Policy and Practice Manual: Chapter 5 - Applying the Exemptions, guidance manual for all officials processing requests under the FOI Act.

National security

• UK Information Commissioner UK (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Defence.

International relations

• UK Department for Constitutional Affairs (undated) Working Assumption: Confidential Information Obtained from a Foreign Government or International Organisation.
• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re International Relations.
• UK Information Commissioner UK (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption Where Disclosure Would Prejudice Relations Between Different UK Administrations.
• Scottish Information Commissioner (2002) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Information about International Relations.
• Scottish Information Commissioner (2002) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Information That May Affect Relations With The UK.

Economic Interests

• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption Where Disclosure Would Prejudice the Economic Interests of the UK.

Law Enforcement & Investigations

• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Investigations.
• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Law Enforcement.
• Scottish Information Commissioner (2002) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Investigations.
• Scottish Information Commissioner (2002) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Law Enforcement.
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (2001) Information Sheet on Applying Exemption re Access to Information Obtained During the Course of Criminal Investigations.
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (2001) Information Sheet on Exempting Identities of Complainants and Information-Providers.

Cabinet & Other Internal Government Papers

• UK Department for Constitutional Affairs (undated) Working Assumption: Cabinet and Cabinet Committee Information.
• UK Department for Constitutional Affairs (undated) Working Assumption: Ministerial Expenses for Official Government. Business.
• UK Department for Constitutional Affairs (undated) Working Assumption: Policy Advice.
• UK Department for Constitutional Affairs (undated) Working Assumption: Legal Advice.
• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Formation of Government Policy.
• Scottish Information Commissioner (2002) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Information relating to formulation of Scottish administrative policy.
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (2001) Information Sheet on Applying Exemption re Information That is Part of "Deliberative Process".
• Western Australian Information Commissioner (2001) Guide on Applying Exemption re Information That Forms Part Of The "Deliberative Process".
• Canadian Ministry of Public Works and Government Services (1996)The Access to Information Act and Cabinet Confidences, report prepared by RPG Information Services Inc. for the Canadian Information Commissioner.

Confidential Business Information

• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Commercial Interest.
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (2001) Information Sheet on Applying Exemption re Trade Secrets and Other Information of Commercial Value.
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (2001) Information Sheet on Applying Exemption re Business Affairs and Information Relating to Them.
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (2001) Information Sheet on Applying Exemption re Information about Tenders.
• Western Australian Information Commissioner (2001) Guide on Applying Exemption re Information Classified as "Commercial Information".
• Western Australian Information Commissioner (2001) Guide on Applying Exemption re Information Classified as Commercial or Business Information.
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (undated)Information Sheet on Business Affairs Exemption, under the FOI Act.
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (undated)Information Sheet on Breach of Confidence Exemption, under the FOI Act.

Courts or Tribunals

• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Disclosures Which Would Constitute a Contempt of Court.
• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Legal Professional Privilege.
• Scottish Information Commissioner (2002) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Disclosures Which Would Constitute a Contempt of Court.
• Scottish Information Commissioner (2002) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption grounds of: Information Obtained in Confidential Relationships like Legal Professional Privilege.
• Western Australian Information Commissioner (2001) Guide on Applying Exemption re "Legal Professional Privilege".

Privacy

• Western Australian Information Commissioner (current) Guidelines re Deciding What Information Is Personal Information.
• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Personal Information.
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (2001) Practitioners Guidelines on Applying Exemption re Information Relating to "Personal Affairs".
• Queensland [Australia] Information Commissioner (2001) Information Sheet on Applying Exemption re Information Relating to Personal Affairs.

Parliamentary Privilege

• UK Department for Constitutional Affairs (undated) Working Assumption: Oral Parliamentary Questions.
• UK Deparment for Constitutional Affairs (undated) Working Assumption: Written Parliamentary Questions.
• UK Information Commissioner (2004) Guidance Note: Applying Exemption re Parliamentary Privilege.