Freedom of Information Law.

This Law regulates freedom of information. The purpose of this Law is to ensure that the public has access to information, which is at the disposal of institutions or which an institution in conformity with its competence has a duty to create. This Law determines uniform procedures by which private persons are entitled to obtain information from an institution and to utilise it. This Law applies to documented information, which is within the circulation of information of institutions. Information shall be accessible to the public in all cases, when this Law does not specify otherwise. This Law does not apply to the exchange of information between institutions. Information shall be accessible to the public in all cases unless this Law specifies otherwise. Information to which this Law applies shall be classified as follows: (a) generally accessible information; and (b) restricted access information. Information which is accessible to the public without restrictions provided for in law or has already been published shall not be considered to be restricted access information. Information which is necessary to an institution for the preparation for resolution of matters shall be considered to be information for the internal use of an institution. Restricted access shall also apply to the documents which have been drawn up in connection with the preparation for resolution of matters by an institution and which have been drawn up by: (a) advisors or experts specially invited for the particular matter; and (b) one institution for the use by another institution. The restricted access status may be applied to information for the internal use of an institution during the process of preparation of matters only up to the time when the institution takes the decision regarding the particular matter, or when a document which has not been classified as a restricted access document is sent to an addressee. Information for the internal use which has been classified as restricted access information shall be registered by the institution concerned in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations. Information which is created by a merchant or belongs to a merchant and the disclosing of which may have a significant adverse impact on the competitiveness of the merchant shall be considered to be a commercial secret.