No. 27 322 Freedom of Information 2003 in relation to that public authority as if the references in those subsections to the date of commencement of this Act were references to the date the public authority so comes into existence. Unpublished documents not to prejudice public 9. If a document required to be made available in accordance with section 8, being a document containing a rule, guideline or practice relating to a function of a public authority, was not made available and included in a statement in the Gazette, as referred to in that section, a member of the public who was not aware of that rule, guideline or practice shall not be subjected to any prejudice by reason only of the application of that rule, guideline or practice in relation to the thing done or omitted to be done by him if he could lawfully have avoided that prejudice had he been aware of that rule, guideline or practice. PART III RIGHT OFACCESS TO INFORMATION Right of access Access to certain documents 10. Subject to this Act, every person shall have a right of ~ ccess in accordance with this Act, to an official document other than an exempt document. 11. Where (a) a document is open to public access, as part of a public register or otherwise, in accordance with another enactment; or (b) a document is available for purchase by the public in accordance with arrangements made by a public authority, the access to that document shall be obtained in accordance with that enactment or arrangement, as the case may be. Access t o documents otherwise than under this Act 12. Nothing in this Act shall prevent a public authority from p-iblishing or giving access to documents (including exempt documents), otherwise than as required by this Act, where it has the discretion to do so or is required by law to do so. Requests for access 13. (1) A person who wishes to obtain access to a document of a public authority shall make a request in writing to the public authority for access to the document.