Freedom of Information Act 2000FOIAUK · 2000 c. 36
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Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36) – Section 62 – Interpretation of Part VI.

Sections

Section 62Interpretation of Part VI.

(1) For the purposes of this Part, a record becomes a “historical record” at the end of the period of [F1twenty years] beginning with the year following that in which it was created.
(2) Where records created at different dates are for administrative purposes kept together in one file or other assembly, all the records in that file or other assembly are to be treated for the purposes of this Part as having been created when the latest of those records was created.
(2A) [F2 Until the end of the period of 10 years beginning with the commencement of paragraph 4 of Schedule 7 to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, subsection (1) has effect subject to any order made under section 46(2) of that Act.]
(3) In this Part “year” means a calendar year.

Amended text

This Section is shown as amended by Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (see the annotations below), as incorporated in the text in force on 7 October 2026 as published on legislation.gov.uk.

Annotations

Textual Amendments

  1. F1 Words in s. 62(1) substituted (1.1.2013) by Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (c. 25), s. 52, Sch. 7 para. 4(2); S.I. 2012/3001, art. 3(1)(b)
  2. F2 S. 62(2A) inserted (1.1.2013) by Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (c. 25), s. 52, Sch. 7 para. 4(3); S.I. 2012/3001, art. 3(1)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

  1. C1 Pt. VI modified (1.1.2013) by The Freedom of Information (Definition of Historical Records) (Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3029), arts. 1(1), 2, Sch.
  2. C2 S. 62(1): saving for the effect of 2010 c. 25, Sch. 7 para. 4(2) (1.1.2013) by The Freedom of Information (Definition of Historical Records) (Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3029), arts. 1(1), 3

Commencement Information

  1. I1 S. 62 wholly in force at 1.1.2005; s. 62 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 87(3); s. 62 in force for certain purposes at 1.1.2005 by S.I. 2002/1909, art. 2 and otherwise in force at 1.1.2005 by S.I. 2004/3122, art. 2

https://foia.digiphile.law/article/article-62.html

Text as at 7 October 2026.

This is an unofficial convenience version of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. It is presented “as is” without guarantee of accuracy, completeness or reliability. See the source text for the official version. This site was last updated in October 2026.

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