Not every form of government information is accessible to the public. The Government Information (Public Access) Act (Woo) contains various grounds on which the government may refuse disclosure.
Absolute refusal grounds
When absolute refusal grounds apply, the government is obliged to refuse disclosure:
- Security of the Netherlands
- Business data shared with the government in confidence
- Sensitive personal data (such as medical information or religious beliefs)
Relative refusal grounds
With relative grounds, the government balances the interest of transparency against other priorities:
| Refusal ground | Example situation |
|---|---|
| Financial and economic interests | Sensitive information about competition |
| Detection of criminal offences | Active police investigations |
| Supervision and inspections | Secret control methods |
| Protection of privacy | Personal data of employees |
| Internal policy opinions | Advice within the organisation |
Partial disclosure
In many cases, part of the requested information is released, with certain parts redacted, such as:
- Personal names and contact information
- Confidential business information
- Internal opinions and advice
Filing an objection to a refusal
If your request is (partly) refused, you can file an objection:
- File an objection within 6 weeks after the decision
- Argue that the refusal ground used is not relevant
- Emphasise that transparency outweighs other interests
Information on Woo requests in Leiden
For legal support in Leiden, you can contact the Juridisch Loket Leiden, located at Stationsweg 46. In addition, the District Court of The Hague, Leiden location, handles cases regarding Woo requests and objections to government decisions.
Frequently asked questions about Woo requests
Can the government claim that documents do not exist?
Yes, if the documents do not exist, the government does not have to create them. However, the government must demonstrate that it has thoroughly searched for the requested information.
What falls under 'personal policy opinions'?
These are internal opinions and advice from civil servants in draft documents. These are often not released to ensure open discussion within the government.
Can I still gain access at a later time?
In some cases, yes. After some time, the need for confidentiality may lapse, making the information public after all.