puolijulkisuus

Puolijulkisuus refers to a legal concept in Finnish law pertaining to the accessibility of certain documents and information. It sits between fully public and fully confidential information, meaning that while not immediately accessible to everyone, it can be disclosed under specific conditions or to certain parties. This concept is particularly relevant in administrative law and matters concerning public authorities.

The principle of public access to official documents, julkisuusperiaate, is a cornerstone of Finnish governance. Puolijulkisuus represents a situation where this principle is modified. For example, documents held by public bodies might be considered puolijulkisia if they contain information that, while not classified as secret, could be sensitive or potentially harmful if widely disseminated without proper scrutiny. This could include personal data, commercial secrets, or information related to ongoing investigations.

Access to puolijulkisia documents is typically granted upon request, but the authority holding the information must assess whether disclosure is permissible according to law. There are specific grounds for withholding information, even if it is puolijulkisia, such as protecting the privacy of individuals, safeguarding business interests, or ensuring the effectiveness of public administration. The decision to grant or deny access can usually be appealed. This nuanced approach aims to balance the public's right to information with the need to protect legitimate interests.