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Refusal of Request
65. Where a request for information is refused or partially refused in accordance with an exception, the EISRs require that the Scottish public authority notifies the applicant in writing which exception has been claimed, and the reason that exception applies. Scottish public authorities should not merely paraphrase the wording of the exception unless the statement would involve the disclosure of information which would itself be withheld in accordance with the EISRs. The Scottish public authority should state clearly in the decision letter why they have decided to apply that exception in the case in question. The EISRs also require Scottish public authorities, when withholding information, to state the reasons for claiming that the public interest in maintaining the exception outweighs the public interest in disclosure. Scottish public authorities should specify the public interest factors - for and against disclosure - that they have taken into account before reaching the decision, unless the statement would involve the disclosure of information which would itself be withheld in accordance with the EISRs. They should also include details of procedure for review of the decision and for appeal for a decision by the Scottish Information Commissioner.
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