Open Records Laws › Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago

Freedom of Information Act

Act No. 26 of 1999

RTI Rating: 89 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
30 days
Extension
30 days
Residency Required
False

30 calendar days from receipt of request (Section 15(1)). Extension of up to 30 additional days if request involves large volume of information or consultations required (Section 15(2)). Deemed refusal if no response within deadline (Section 15(4)).

No residency or citizenship requirement. Section 11(1) grants the right to every person to obtain access to an official document.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • {'method': 'Written Request', 'details': 'Written request to the designated officer of the public authority (Section 13(1)).'}
  • {'method': 'In Person', 'details': 'At the offices of the public authority.'}
  • {'method': 'Mail', 'details': 'Postal mail to the designated officer.'}

Fees

Exemptions

  • National Security
    Documents affecting national security, defence, or international relations (Section 24)
  • Cabinet Documents
    Cabinet documents and records of Cabinet deliberations (Section 25)
  • Law Enforcement
    Documents relating to law enforcement and investigations (Section 26)
  • Legal Privilege
    Legally privileged documents (Section 27)
  • Personal Privacy
    Documents containing personal information about individuals (Section 29)
  • Commercial Interests
    Trade secrets and commercially confidential information (Section 30)
  • Internal Working
    Internal working documents, opinions, and recommendations (Section 28)
  • Economy
    Documents that could harm the economy of Trinidad and Tobago (Section 31)
  • Parliamentary Privilege
    Documents subject to parliamentary privilege (Section 23)

Appeal Process

1

Step 1

Review by the responsible minister or permanent secretary within 30 days (Section 38). Decision within 15 days.

2

Step 2

Complaint to the Ombudsman for investigation (Section 38(4)). The Ombudsman may investigate and recommend disclosure.

3

Step 3

Application to the High Court for judicial review of the decision (Section 39).

Request Templates

Standard Request

Under the Freedom of Information Act, 1999 (Act No. 26 of 1999), I request access to the following documents: [DESCRIPTION]. Preferred format: [FORMAT]. Contact: [NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL, PHONE].

Sources & References