Denmark access to public administration files

The Danish parliament May 4 approved controversial changes to its public information law that will reduce the availability of documents prepared during the development of new policies and legislation. The law will exempt disclosure of correspondence between ministries and the civil service if a minister is requesting advice.

Passage […]. Several thousand persons demonstrated in Christiansborg, Denmark, against the proposed freedom of information law amendments, and two international journalism groups voiced their opposition.

In particular, modifying certain exceptions would weaken the Danish law, according to an analysis by the Centre for Law […]. The intended amendments to the freedom of information act offentlighedslov had generated some criticism before, but appeared to stand a good chance of passage because […].

The Danish government Feb. Particular controversial are amendments that would reduce access to documents prepared by government officials about the creation of government policy, according to a newspaper report. Proposals to change the Danish freedom of information law seem designed to prevent access to materials about the development of policy, according to critics.

The government and opposition parties negotiated to produce a package of modifications, but several other parties and interest groups are now raising objections. The most contentious provision would severely limit access […]. Denmark will be placing some new limits on access to information and also making some expansions as the result of a deal among the major political parties announced Oct.

Because the concept of freedom of information is evolving from a moral indictment of secrecy to a tool for market regulation, more efficient government, and economic and technological […]. Access to Public Administration Files Act. Act No. Text from the freedominfo.

The first limited act on access to information in Denmark was adopted in It allows "any person" to demand documents in an administrative file. Authorities must respond as soon as possible to requests and if it takes longer than ten days they must inform the requestor of why the response is delayed and when an answer is expected. The Act applies to "all activity exercised by the public administration" and to electricity, gas and heating plants.

The Minister of Justice can extend coverage of the Act to companies and other institutions that are using public funds and making decisions on behalf of central or local governments. It does not apply to the Courts or legislators. Documents relating to criminal justice or the drafting of bills before they are introduced in the Folketing are exempt. Authorities receiving information of importance orally to a decision by an agency have an obligation to take note of the information.

Business Terms and Conditions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Trade Council are a public authority and thus governed by the regulations laid down in the Danish Public Administration Act and the Danish Public Information Act, including the provisions regarding non-disclosure, confidentiality and pricing of services, among others.

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter. Duty of non-disclosure and confidentiality Employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, including The Trade Council, are by virtue of their terms and conditions of employment bound by a duty of non-disclosure in relation to information, including competition-sensitive information about companies and trade secrets, that they are privy to as part of their contractual relationship, and all such employees have signed a solemn declaration to this effect.

This duty of non-disclosure remains in force also after the employee has left the service. Danish Medicins Agency understands that some of the information it receives from FDA may include non-public information exempt from public disclosure, such as commercially confidential information; trade secret information; personal privacy information; law enforcement information; designated national security information; or internal, pre-decisional information.

Danish Medicins Agency understands that this non-public information is shared in confidence and that it is critical that Danish Medicins Agency maintains the confidentiality of exchanged non-public information. Public disclosure of exchanged non-public information by Danish Medicins Agency could seriously jeopardize any further scientific and regulatory interactions between Danish Medicins Agency and FDA.