Assessing the appropriate limit

The Freedom of Information Act provides for public authorities to either charge for or decline requests for information that would cost over what is referred to as the appropriate limit. With regards to Sheffield Teaching Hospitals (and other public authorities) the appropriate limit is set at £450 (or 18 hours at £25 per hour).

Public authorities are required to estimate whether a request is likely to breach the 'appropriate limit' and where it does, to notify the applicant of the estimated costs and where available, the options to reduce those costs as may be required.
 

Section 12