The legal basis for access to case documents
As a point of departure, the Petroleum safety authority Norway's case documents are public as long as no exceptions are made in the statutes, or pursuant to statutes.
Anyone can demand access to the public content of the PSA's case documents in a particular case. This is governed by the (Norwegian) Freedom of Information Act and the (Norwegian) Public Administration Act.
According to Section 2 of the Freedom of Information Act, exceptions from public access shall be based on or pursuant to statutes. Sections 4 to 6 of the Freedom of Information Act provide some central authorizations for exceptions.
Information that is subject to confidentiality shall be exempt from public disclosure. Other information or documents can be excepted in certain instances.
Who can apply for access to case documents?
Anyone can apply for access to documents. The inquiry must relate to case documents in a specific case. "Case document" is defined in Section 3 of the Freedom of Information Act.
How to apply?
Please send requests in writing in letter form, or the following e-mail address postboks@ptil.no.
Requests can also be made to the Main Archives, tel. +47 51 87 60 50.
Applications for access to documents must contain the name, address, telephone and fax number of the person making the request, as well as a description of the document.
Please state the case and document number from a public case register or other source, if known.