Section 15A — Official Information Act 1982: Extension of time limits

15A Extension of time limits (1) Where a request in accordance with section 12 of this Act is made or transferred to a Department or Minister of the Crown or organisation, the permanent head of that Department or an officer or employee of that Department authorised by that permanent head or that Minister of the Crown or that organisation may extend the time limit set out in section 14 or section 15(1) of this Act in respect of the request if— (a) The request is for a large quantity of official information or necessitates a search through a large quantity of information and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Department or the Minister of the Crown or the organisation; or (b) Consultations necessary to make a decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit. (2) Any extension under subsection (1) of this section shall be for a reasonable period of time having regard to the circumstances. (3) The extension shall be effected by giving or posting notice of the extension to the person who made the request within 20 working days after the day on which the request is received. (4) The notice effecting the extension shall— (a) Specify the period of the extension; and (b) Give the reasons for the extension; and (c) State that the person who made the request for the official information has the right, under section 28(3) of this Act, to make a complaint to an Ombudsman about the extension; and (d) Contain such other information as is necessary. This section was inserted, as from 1 April 1987, by section 9(1) Official Information Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 8).