New business arises and is registered

The process generally begins when a written document arrives at one of the ministries. The document is registered before being handled by ministry officials.

The majority of documents arrive at the Government Offices by regular post or e-mail but may also be handed in personally, for example if an individual or group is canvassing a minister. In addition, the Government Offices may initiate an item of business on their own initiative.

In principle, all incoming documents must be registered by the senior registry clerk at the receiving ministry. The document is assigned to a file and the file is given a registration number to facilitate identification. Then the items are dispatched to the relevant departments in the ministries. These records are public domain, which means that the general public has right of access to the documents held at the Government Offices provided they have not been classified as confidential, that is to say are secret. A request to study a document may be made in writing or orally.

The senior registry clerk is generally the person to contact when a member of the general public requires information. Anyone who wishes to find out if a matter is being processed at a specific ministry or wishes to study documents relating to it, may apply to the senior registry clerk who is also able to provide information about the official handling the matter.