Freedom of Information Act (Federal) Research Guide

This guide discusses how to use the federal Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, to obtain records from federal government agencies when those records are not published in the Federal Register or distributed by the Government Publishing Office.

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Case Law

If you need help interpreting any portion of the FOIA or regulations made under it, case law may be useful. Researching case law will be essential if your FOIA request is denied and you decide to appeal the denial.

1. Annotated Codes

One way to look for case law interpreting the FOIA is to review the annotations following 5 U.S.C. § 552 in an annotated version of the United States Code:

 

2. West's Federal Practice Digest Topic and Key Numbers

Another way to search for cases is to look in West's Federal Practice Digest or under West Key 326 (Records) in the West Key Number System. Most FOIA cases are summarized under the topic Records, Part V, Section C: General Disclosure Requirements; Freedom of Information.

Below are Key Numbers for some major issues related to FOIA:

  • k341: Freedom of information laws in general
  • k346-k351: Persons entitled to disclosure
  • k352-k357: Matters subject to disclosure
  • k358-k360: Exceptions and exemptions from disclosure
  • k361-k363: Discretion and balancing of interests
  • k451-k460: Requests for disclosure
  • k461-k478: Compliance with disclosure requests