Section 16: Extension of period to deal with request

(1) The information officer to whom a request for access has been made or transferred, may extend the period of twenty-one days referred to in section 15(1), in this section referred to as the "original period", once for a further period of not more than twenty-one days, if- (a) the request is for a large number of records or requires a search through a large number of records and compliance with the original period would unreasonably interfere with the activities of the public body concerned; (b) the request requires a search for records in, or collection of the records from, an office of the public body not situated in the same city, town or location as the office of the information officer that cannot reasonably be completed within the original period; (c) more than one of the circumstances contemplated in paragraphs (a) and (b) exist in respect of the request, making compliance with the original period not reasonably possible; or (d) the person requesting for the record consents in writing to the extension. (2) Where a period is extended under subsection (1), the information officer shall, as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within twenty-one days, after the request is received or transferred, notify the person requesting the record of the extension. (3) A notice given under subsection (2) shall state- (a) the period of the extension; (b) adequate reasons for the extension, including the provisions of this Act relied upon; and (c) that the person may lodge an internal appeal or an application with a court, as the case may be, against the extension, and the procedure, including the period, for lodging the internal appeal or application, as the case may be.