Offer template phrases which can be added to requests

[RichardTaylor]

While requests can just be simple descriptions of the information sought there are some phrases / templates which the system could usefully offer requesters the ability to add to their requests, perhaps with a button to insert the phrase automatically.

We could use this issue thread to collect examples of such phrases but they might include:

I would like to restrict my request to information relating to the last complete financial year.

I would like to restrict my request to information recorded during each of the last three complete calendar years.

If this request cannot be met within cost limits, please can you provide guidance and assistance on how I may refine my request to bring it within those limits.

If this request cannot be met within the cost limits, please release as much information as possible, starting with the most recent material.

If this request cannot be met within the cost limits, please release as much information as possible, starting with the material requested first in the list of material sought.

While some of the material requested may be exempt from disclosure, please release as much of the material requested as possible, with any withheld material redacted.

Please provide a response by email, to the address this request was sent from.

In so far as it is practical please provide the material in a digital, accessible, reusable format, and not as, for example, images of text, images of spreadsheets, or tables in PDF format.

Please provide the data in a machine readable format (preferably csv).

Please consider proactively publishing this information in the future.

Please consider this request under any relevant access to information legislation or procedures.

Please feel free to include additional information which will aid the interpretation of the material released.

As the material has reportedly already been released to others I expect a response promptly, by return.

Please include material held on behalf of the public body by others, such as contractors.

Please consider releasing the information requested even if access to information legislation permits withholding it.

Please supply the requested images in the highest resolution available, and as image files, rather than eg. images embedded in Word or PDF document.

Please release the requested footage by publishing it on your institutional YouTube account, using a hidden link if desired.

I would like to make a request under the Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015 to re-use the information requested for the purpose of.... [SET OUT PURPOSE HERE]

I would like to proactively make the following public interest case for the release of the information: [MAKE CASE HERE]

Where a reference is to be made to a contract, agreement or third party request in relation to the application of the exemptions applying to "Commercial interests" or "Information provided in confidence" please release the sections of the contract, agreement or request being referred to.

While some of my personal information may come within the scope of this request here I am only seeking material which could be obtained by anyone making a request for it.

[hsenag]

Re these two:

If this request cannot be met within the cost limits, please release as much information as possible, starting with the most recent material.

If this request cannot be met within the cost limits, please release as much information as possible, starting with the material requested first in the list of material sought.

I think there's tribunal authority that you can't just ask for "as much as possible that's under 12 hours", you have to use advice+assistance to refine your request. Of course maybe authorities would be helpful and accept it anyway.

[RichardTaylor]

These appear to be "snippets" of text in a similar way to those being considered at #6094 for inclusion in internal review requests.

Snippets of text for requests could help more people than snippets for internal reviews.

[garethrees]

While it's a little way off being ready for this, "Snippets" (https://github.com/mysociety/alaveteli/issues/5911) were intentionally built to be quite generic. This is almost exactly the next use case I had in mind for them.

[RichardTaylor]

See also "Encourage requestors to specify usable formats #2174

[RichardTaylor]

Another possible snippet:

I would like to proactively make the case that it would be fair to release the personal information within the scope of my request: [MAKE CASE HERE]

Much of the internal review advice could be reviewed and considered for including in requests - to prompt addressing the issues at an earlier stage and hopefully getting a quicker response.

[RichardTaylor]

+1 for

In so far as it is practical please provide the material in a digital, accessible, reusable format, and not as, for example, images of text, images of spreadsheets, or tables in PDF format.

following a WhatDoTheyKnow case today where a user was struggling to access data released.

We could introduce something like this as ~"you would be astonished by the public sector's propensity to release tables of data via images or PDFs, rather than more suitable file formats".

[RichardTaylor]

The snippets suggested on the tickets in this issue could be of use to users now.

We could list them in a help page, and link to that help page from the make a request form so we can assist users without doing any substantial coding work.

[RichardTaylor]

Offer a template for a "meta" request.

[RichardTaylor]

Offer a template for a "meta" request.

Consider that a meta request might in-part be interpreted as a subject access request.