Freedom of Information

As a public authority, Government Information Services is committed to openness, transparency and serving the public interest in compliance with the Freedom of Information Law, 2007. The Freedom of Information (FOI) Law was passed on 19th October 2007 and came into effect in January 2009. It gives the public a right of access to all types of records held by public authorities, but also sets out some exemptions from that right. In accordance to some of the provisions for this law, GIS maintains a FOI website, separate from our main website, where you can find more information on FOI and our compliance.

Publication Schemes
Each public authority covered by the Freedom of Information Law has a legal duty to adopt and maintain a publication scheme in accordance with s. 5 of the FOI Law. The main purpose of a publication scheme is to make information readily available without the need for specific written requests. Much of what GIS produces – press releases, Gazettes, Spotlight, brochures – is public information. Operational information more specific to the unit is available on this website. (Using the site map may help you find what you’re looking for.) Our latest publication scheme can be viewed below. A list of past information requests are also available below.

FOI Contact
Information Manager Cornelia Olivier

Address: (Location)
2nd Floor Government Admin Bldg, George Town, Grand Cayman

Mailing Address
Government Admin Bldg. 
Grand Cayman  KY1-9000 
Cayman Islands

Telephone
(345) 949-8092

Fax
(345) 949-5936

Email
foi [dot] gis [at] gov [dot] ky

Making a Request
We want to help you find the information you’re interested in.

If you want to request information from the Government Information Services, you should initially look at the disclosure log to see if the information you seek has already been published. If you wish to make a request for information then you should contact the Information Manager or submit a request on-line at the FOI Unit website. Requests must be in writing (letter, email or facsimile) and must include your name and an address (either postal or e-mail). Please be as specific as possible about the information you would like, as this will help us to respond promptly. Where possible, please include a contact telephone number, so we can call to discuss your request if necessary. We will respond to your request promptly. The Law requires public authorities to respond within 30 calendar days, allowing an extension of an additional 30 calendar days if needed. We will always acknowledge receipt of FOI requests made to the Information Manager and we will let you know if we need to extend the deadline. For detailed advice on what sorts of information is exempt please see the FOI Unit's website.

Disclosure Log
The disclosure log is updated regularly and provides details of all past FOI requests excluding requests for personal information. Please note that the disclosure log does not necessarily list all correspondence between the requestor and our agency as the focus, but all contains the outcome. If documents released were not available electronically, the request will state accordingly. If you have any questions regarding past requests, please contact the Information Manager. See below for the list of past information requests.

Right of Appeal Internal Review
If you make a request under the Freedom of Information Law and are not satisfied with our response, you are entitled to an internal review. Put your appeal in writing, explaining why you would like us to review our original response, and either e-mail or post it to the Acting Chief Information Officer (suzette [dot] ebanks [at] gov [dot] ky). Include your name, address, telephone number and the reference number at the top of our letter or e-mail to you. You have 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of a refusal to request an internal review. Under section 33 of the FOI Law, you may ask for an Internal Review of a response to your request: If you were refused access; If you were granted partial access to the record(s) specified in your application; If your request was deferred; If there was a refusal to amend or annotate an official document containing personal information; or If a fee was charged for action taken* or if you disagree with the amount of the fee charged. *where the decision was taken by a person other than the responsible Minister, Chief Officer or Principal Officer of the public authority.

Appeal to the Information Commissioner
If you are dissatisfied with the internal review, or an internal review was not available, you can seek an appeal from the Information Commissioner. Call 747-5402 or email info [at] infocomm [dot] ky