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Leander v Sweden: ECHR 26 Mar 1987

Mr Leander had been refused employment at a museum located on a naval base, having been assessed as a security risk on the basis of information stored on a register maintained by State security services that had not been disclosed him. Mr Leander complained that he should have been provided with the information in question, … Continue reading Leander v Sweden: ECHR 26 Mar 1987

Department for Transport v The Information Commissioner and, Dr Minh Alexander: UTAA 10 May 2021

The appeal concerns the disclosure, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘FOIA’), of staff survey reports addressing very small units within the civil service. The requested reports relate to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (‘AAIB’), a unit within the Department for Transport (`the Appellant’ of `DfT’) and, within the AAIB, those pertaining to … Continue reading Department for Transport v The Information Commissioner and, Dr Minh Alexander: UTAA 10 May 2021

Benjamin, Vanderpool and Gumbs v The Minister of Information and Broadcasting and The Attorney General for Anguilla: PC 14 Feb 2001

PC (Anguilla) A first non-religious radio station had been formed, but came to include much criticism of the government. One programme was suspended by the government. The programme makers complained that this interfered with their constitutioinal and human rights to freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination. Held: The motive in closing … Continue reading Benjamin, Vanderpool and Gumbs v The Minister of Information and Broadcasting and The Attorney General for Anguilla: PC 14 Feb 2001

Office of Government Commerce (Decision Notice): ICO 14 Jul 2008

ICO The complainant requested access to all of the documents held by the Office of Government Commerce with regard to the ministerial direction issued by the Secretary of State for Defence to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence on 30 July 2003, which concerned the order of 20 Hawk jet trainer aircraft. The … Continue reading Office of Government Commerce (Decision Notice): ICO 14 Jul 2008

West Dorset District Council (Decision Notice): ICO 2 Jun 2011

The complainant asked for permission to visit the Council’s archives and ‘have access to, research and make copies’ of all documents relating to the transfer of property previously owned by the former Lyme Regis Town Council to West Dorset District Council. The Council refused the request on the basis that it considered it to be … Continue reading West Dorset District Council (Decision Notice): ICO 2 Jun 2011

Charity Commission (Decision Notice): ICO 15 May 2007

The complainant asked the public authority for all recorded information held about a charity he managed. The public authority provided some information initially and at the internal review stage, but withheld other information under sections 31, 40 and 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘the Act’). After the Commissioner’s intervention the public authority … Continue reading Charity Commission (Decision Notice): ICO 15 May 2007

Department of The Environment Northern Ireland (Decision Notice): ICO 21 May 2007

The complainant on 1 January 2005 made a request to the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland (the Department) for a copy of a planning enforcement file relating to his planning application. The Department allowed the complainant to view the file but withheld some information contained in the file. In responding to his request, … Continue reading Department of The Environment Northern Ireland (Decision Notice): ICO 21 May 2007

East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 16 Feb 2010

The complainant made three requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS) between August and December 2007 for various pieces of information supplied to Vale First Responders (VFR) from EMAS; copies of EMAS’s board minutes for July 2007 and September 2007; and finally, he specifically requested the … Continue reading East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 16 Feb 2010

Information Commissioner (Decision Notice): ICO 13 Feb 2007

The complainant requested for access to all the documents held by the Information Commissioner’s Office in connection with its investigation of two Freedom of Information complaints. The ICO refused to disclose the requested information citing section 30 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. After a careful evaluation of the requested information, the information received … Continue reading Information Commissioner (Decision Notice): ICO 13 Feb 2007

Information Commissioner (Decision Notice): ICO 5 Apr 2011

The complainant made a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to the Information Commissioner’s Office for information relating to employees’ associations with and declarations of interest in Common Purpose. The ICO initially decided that it could not confirm or deny whether the requested information was held because to do so would exceed the … Continue reading Information Commissioner (Decision Notice): ICO 5 Apr 2011

Information Commissioner (Decision Notice): ICO 28 Mar 2011

The complainant requested that the Information Commissioner’s Office provide him with the contents of the Register of Data Controllers in any usable format. The ICO refused the request under section 21(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as the information was available in the online Data Protection Public Register, as maintained by ICO. The … Continue reading Information Commissioner (Decision Notice): ICO 28 Mar 2011

Student Loans Company Ltd (Decision Notice): ICO 14 Dec 2009

The complainant made a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to the Student Loans Company. The request was for a number of documents listed (a) to (l). The Company has now provided all of the documents to the complainant in electronic format apart from document (d). A number of redactions were made under … Continue reading Student Loans Company Ltd (Decision Notice): ICO 14 Dec 2009

Student Loans Company Ltd (Decision Notice): ICO 9 Dec 2010

The complainant requested the database manual associated with the software used by the Student Loans Company (SLC) for monitoring repayment data. In response, The SLC stated that it did not hold a database manual but confirmed that information relating to its CLASS software system was retained in a data dictionary and specifications. The SLC, however, … Continue reading Student Loans Company Ltd (Decision Notice): ICO 9 Dec 2010

Crown Prosecution Service (Decision Notice): ICO 29 Jun 2011

The complainant asked a series of questions about named employees of the CPS. The request was for, amongst other things, details of the disciplinary and criminal records of named individuals; the previous employment history of a named individual; the ethnicities of named individuals involved in a disciplinary case; and the gender and ethnicities of complainants … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service (Decision Notice): ICO 29 Jun 2011

Osterreichische Vereinigung Zur Erhaltung, Starkung Und Schaffung v Austria: ECHR 28 Nov 2013

All agricultural and forest land transactions in Austria required approval by local and regional authorities (in the Tyrol, the Tyrol Real Property Transactions Commission), the aim being to preserve land for agriculture and forestry and avoid the proliferation of second homes. The applicatant association was formed to promote sound agricultural and forest property ownership and … Continue reading Osterreichische Vereinigung Zur Erhaltung, Starkung Und Schaffung v Austria: ECHR 28 Nov 2013

Matky v Czech Republic: ECHR 10 Jul 2006

(French Text) Members of an environmental group sought access to the original project documents lodged with a government department. They wanted to compare the plans with revised plans which were currently the subject of an environmental assessment. The Ministry refused access to the documents. The group applied to the court, relying on article 10. Held: … Continue reading Matky v Czech Republic: ECHR 10 Jul 2006

NHS Cambridgeshire (Decision Notice): ICO 18 Aug 2011

ICO On 27 September 2009, the complainant requested that NHS Cambridgeshire should provide her with all the information that it held in relation to her deceased mother. NHS Cambridgeshire . . informed the complainant that it held a care file which was exempt from disclosure under section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. … Continue reading NHS Cambridgeshire (Decision Notice): ICO 18 Aug 2011

Doncaster College (Decision Notice): ICO 19 Mar 2008

The complainant requested information from Doncaster College concerning reports of its investigation of allegations made against its former principal. The college refused this request under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Commissioner considers that the requested information is the personal data of the former principal and of other data subjects and … Continue reading Doncaster College (Decision Notice): ICO 19 Mar 2008

Information Commissioner (Decision Notice) FS50320645: ICO 1 Mar 2011

The complainant asked the Information Commissioner to provide information with respect to four questions he had submitted. These questions related to entries in the Data Protection Public Register maintained by the Information Commissioner’s Office (the ‘ICO’) and concerned previous complaints he had made to the Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998. The Information Commissioner … Continue reading Information Commissioner (Decision Notice) FS50320645: ICO 1 Mar 2011

Surrey County Council (Decision Notice): ICO 9 Aug 2012

The complainant requested copies of two audits from Surrey County Council relating to a particular school. The council refused to provide the information on the basis that it was exempt under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Commissioner’s decision is that the council correctly relied on section 40(2), with the exception … Continue reading Surrey County Council (Decision Notice): ICO 9 Aug 2012

Information Commissioner (Decision Notice) FS50320656: ICO 1 Mar 2011

The complainant asked the Information Commissioner to provide information in relation to five companies and their entries in the Data Protection Public Register. The Information Commissioner provided the information held by the Information Commissioner’s Office and confirmed which parts of the requested information it did not hold. It upheld this response at internal review. The … Continue reading Information Commissioner (Decision Notice) FS50320656: ICO 1 Mar 2011

Cabinet Office (Central Government): ICO 22 Nov 2021

The complainant has requested the first two of 32 files relating to the ‘Spycatcher’/Peter Wright case between 1986 and 1987. The Cabinet Office withheld the information requested under section 22(1) (information intended for future publication) and section 23(1)(information supplied by, or relating to, bodies dealing with security matters) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. … Continue reading Cabinet Office (Central Government): ICO 22 Nov 2021

Sugar v Information Commissioner: IT 14 May 2009

Citations: [2009] UKIT EA – 2005 – 0032 Links: Bailii Statutes: Freedom of Information Act 2000 Citing: See Also – Sugar v Information Commissioner IT 29-Aug-2006 IT At this preliminary hearing the Tribunal finds that at the time of the request made by Mr Sugar to the BBC for a copy of the Balen Report … Continue reading Sugar v Information Commissioner: IT 14 May 2009

Kennedy v Information Commissioner: IT 14 Jun 2009

The claimant sought release of documents placed with the Charity Commission in connection with investigations into a charity. Held: With certain exceptions, the applicaion failed: ‘once a public authority places documents it held prior to an inquiry into the custody of itself conducting a statutory inquiry then those documents would seem to us to be … Continue reading Kennedy v Information Commissioner: IT 14 Jun 2009

Guardian News and Media Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court: CA 3 Apr 2012

The newspaper applied for leave to access documents referred to but not released during the course of extradition proceedings in open court. Held: The application was to be allowed. Though extradition proceedings were not governed by the Civil Procedure Rules, wider principles still applied. The open justice principle is a constitutional principle to be found … Continue reading Guardian News and Media Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court: CA 3 Apr 2012

Kennedy v The Charity Commission: SC 26 Mar 2014

The claimant journalist sought disclosure of papers acquired by the respondent in its conduct of enquiries into the charitable Mariam appeal. The Commission referred to an absolute exemption under section 32(2) of the 2000 Act, saying that the exemption continued until the papers were destroyed, or for 20 years under the 1958 Act. Held: The … Continue reading Kennedy v The Charity Commission: SC 26 Mar 2014

Attorney-General v Guardian Newspapers Ltd (No 2) (‘Spycatcher’): HL 13 Oct 1988

Loss of Confidentiality Protection – public domain A retired secret service employee sought to publish his memoirs from Australia. The British government sought to restrain publication there, and the defendants sought to report those proceedings, which would involve publication of the allegations made. The AG sought to restrain those publications. Held: A duty of confidence … Continue reading Attorney-General v Guardian Newspapers Ltd (No 2) (‘Spycatcher’): HL 13 Oct 1988

Tarsasag A Szabadsagjogokert v Hungary: ECHR 13 Nov 2008

The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union sought access to details of a legal challenge filed by a Hungarian parliamentarian in the Hungarian Constitutional Court concerning the constitutionality of legislative amendments to the Hungarian Criminal Code. The Union contended that the refusal of the Constitutional Court to grant it access to the documents was a violation of … Continue reading Tarsasag A Szabadsagjogokert v Hungary: ECHR 13 Nov 2008

McKennitt and others v Ash and Another: QBD 21 Dec 2005

The claimant sought to restrain publication by the defendant of a book recounting very personal events in her life. She claimed privacy and a right of confidence. The defendant argued that there was a public interest in the disclosures. Held: Documents showed a readiness in the defendant to seek to manipulate the claimant through threats … Continue reading McKennitt and others v Ash and Another: QBD 21 Dec 2005

Cabinet Office (Decision Notice) FS50173585: ICO 22 Dec 2009

The complainant asked the public authority for ‘all data pertaining to’ a freedom of information request which he had made previously. The public authority withheld some information under section 42 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘the Act’) and the rest under section 36. The Commissioner decided that information had been correctly withheld under … Continue reading Cabinet Office (Decision Notice) FS50173585: ICO 22 Dec 2009

Leeds City Council (Decision Notice): ICO 12 Sep 2011

The complainant requested, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act), all the information it held on its internet and intranet IT systems for two years in a specified format and all other information held electronically about a set of meetings. The Council considered that the request was in its context vexatious by virtue … Continue reading Leeds City Council (Decision Notice): ICO 12 Sep 2011

Mathieson v Information Commissioner and Devon and Cornwall Constabulary: FTTGRC 11 Apr 2011

1. The Public Authority failed to deal with the Complainant’s request for information . . in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in that it should have communicated the requested information to him; 2. The Public Authority is now required to communicate the requested information to him no later than 35 working days … Continue reading Mathieson v Information Commissioner and Devon and Cornwall Constabulary: FTTGRC 11 Apr 2011

Hounslow London Borough Council (Decision Notice): ICO 7 Jan 2013

The complainant requested information from the London Borough of Hounslow regarding council plans to deal with the problem of dwellings in gardens. The council withheld the information using section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the exemption relating to prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs. However during the Commissioner’s investigation the … Continue reading Hounslow London Borough Council (Decision Notice): ICO 7 Jan 2013

Intellectual Property Office (Decision Notice) FS50321698: ICO 26 Apr 2011

The complainant asked the Intellectual Property Office to provide information relating to a trade mark it had considered. The public authority advised the complainant that some information was already available to him but that the remainder was exempt under the exemption at section 44 (prohibitions on disclosure) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The … Continue reading Intellectual Property Office (Decision Notice) FS50321698: ICO 26 Apr 2011

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (Decision Notice): ICO 17 Nov 2005

The complainant wrote to the DVLA on 4/1/05 to request information relating to the status of particular vehicles on the DVLA database. DVLA did not accept that the request required a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the ‘Act’) and instead used existing internal criteria for deciding whether the request should be honoured. … Continue reading Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (Decision Notice): ICO 17 Nov 2005

Regina (Persey and Others) v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Admn 15 Mar 2002

The applicants sought an order that the government enquiries into the foot and mouth outbreak should be held in public. They argued that the need to re-establish public faith made a decision not to hold the enquiries in public irrational, and that a failure to hold the enquiry in public infringed the applicant’s human rights. … Continue reading Regina (Persey and Others) v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Admn 15 Mar 2002

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 18 Jan 2012

The complainant has requested the evidence submitted by the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) to the Coroner in relation to a particular inquest. The Trust confirmed that the evidence submitted to the coroner was witness statements of staff who had been involved with the deceased patient who the inquest related to. … Continue reading Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 18 Jan 2012

Guerra and Others v Italy: ECHR 19 Feb 1998

(Grand Chamber) The applicants lived about 1km from a chemical factory which produced fertilizers and other chemicals and was classified as ‘high risk’ in criteria set out by Presidential Decree. Held: Failure by a government to release to an affected population details of known pollution risks could amount to breach of their human rights: ‘The … Continue reading Guerra and Others v Italy: ECHR 19 Feb 1998

Gaskin v The United Kingdom: ECHR 7 Jul 1989

The applicant complained of ill-treatment while he was in the care of a local authority and living with foster parents. He sought access to his case records held by the local authority but his request was denied. Held: The refusal to allow him access to his records involved a breach of his rights under Article … Continue reading Gaskin v The United Kingdom: ECHR 7 Jul 1989

GKR Karate (UK) Limited v Porch, Yorkshire Post Newspaper, Holmes: QBD 17 Jan 2000

The claimant sought damages alleging defamation. The judge ordered certain elements of the case to be heard first, and others, if necessary later. Although the case had been begun under the old rules, the new civil procedure regime gave the judge much wider powers of management, and defamation cases were notoriously expensive and lengthy and … Continue reading GKR Karate (UK) Limited v Porch, Yorkshire Post Newspaper, Holmes: QBD 17 Jan 2000

Office for Standards In Education (Decision Notice): ICO 20 Mar 2014

The complainant has requested information about serious incident notifications in a particular format. Ofsted said that it did not hold the information in the format requested. The Commissioner considers that Ofsted was correct to confirm that it did not hold the requested information under section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). The … Continue reading Office for Standards In Education (Decision Notice): ICO 20 Mar 2014

Kelly (A Minor) v British Broadcasting Corporation: FD 25 Jul 2000

K, aged 16, had left home to join what was said to be a religious sect. His whereabouts were unknown. He had been made a ward of court and the Official Solicitor was appointed to represent his interests. He had sent messages to say that he was well and did not wish to return. The … Continue reading Kelly (A Minor) v British Broadcasting Corporation: FD 25 Jul 2000

Plymouth Teaching Primary Care Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 11 Dec 2008

The complainant made three requests (dated 14, 15 and 16 May 2007) under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the ‘Act’) to the Plymouth Teaching Primary Care Trust (the ‘Trust’) for correspondence and other information relating to suspensions from the Trust. The Trust dealt with the request of 14 May 2007 under the Data Protection … Continue reading Plymouth Teaching Primary Care Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 11 Dec 2008

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Decision Notice): ICO 17 Sep 2007

The complainant requested details of a Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (‘VOSA’) examiner’s maintenance report and findings. VOSA refused this request under section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the ‘Act’). During the course of the investigation, VOSA also submitted that the information was exempt under section 32 of the Act. Having considered … Continue reading Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Decision Notice): ICO 17 Sep 2007

Charity Commission (Decision Notice): ICO 28 Jun 2011

ICO The complainant asked the Charity Commission for all its documents relating to the Global Warming Policy Foundation. The Charity Commission provided some documents but withheld a bank statement which showed the name of an individual who had donated money to the GWPF. It argued that this information was exempt from disclosure under section 40(2) … Continue reading Charity Commission (Decision Notice): ICO 28 Jun 2011

University of Nottingham (Decision Notice): ICO 20 Apr 2011

The complainant requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the ‘Act’) the workplace email addresses of all of the University’s staff. The University confirmed that it held the information, but considered that it was exempt. It did not specify an exemption but implied that it was relying on section 21(1) [information reasonable accessible by … Continue reading University of Nottingham (Decision Notice): ICO 20 Apr 2011

R (Mrs) v Central Independent Television Plc: CA 17 Feb 1994

The court did not have power to stop a TV program identifying a ward of court, but which was not about the care of the ward. The first instance court had granted an injunction in relation to a television programme dealing with the arrest and the conviction of a paedophile who was the father of … Continue reading R (Mrs) v Central Independent Television Plc: CA 17 Feb 1994

East Hertfordshire District Council (Decision Notice): ICO 15 Nov 2011

The complainant asked the council to provide copies of any application forms or questionnaires that had been submitted by candidates for the East Hertfordshire Independent Remuneration Panel since April 2010, redacted as appropriate. The council initially refused to provide any of the information on the basis that it was exempt under section 40(2) of the … Continue reading East Hertfordshire District Council (Decision Notice): ICO 15 Nov 2011

Office of Communications (Decision Notice): ICO 23 Feb 2011

The complainant requested copies of the findings of any independent tests commissioned by the public authority to establish if any home networking PLT devices complied with the essential requirements of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (Directive). The public authority confirmed it held a report of an investigation it had conducted under the Directive in relation to … Continue reading Office of Communications (Decision Notice): ICO 23 Feb 2011

University of Leeds (Decision Notice): ICO 17 Dec 2009

The complainant made a request to the University of Leeds for information relating to the funding, monies and grants provided to the University’s Department of Psychology. The University refused to provide the requested information upon reliance of the provision contained at section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the exemptions contained at … Continue reading University of Leeds (Decision Notice): ICO 17 Dec 2009

Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation: CA 10 Nov 1947

Administrative Discretion to be Used Reasonably The applicant challenged the manner of decision making as to the conditions which had been attached to its licence to open the cinema on Sundays. It had not been allowed to admit children under 15 years of age. The statute provided no appeal procedure, and the applicant sought a … Continue reading Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation: CA 10 Nov 1947

Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 13 Jul 2009

The complainant made a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) to the Heart of England NHS Trust (the Trust) for a copy of the report into Breast Surgery Practice that was presented to the Board on 29 October 2007 by Mr Ian Cuncliffe, Medical Director for Surgery. The Trust refused the … Continue reading Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 13 Jul 2009

Liverpool Womens NHS Foundation Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 17 Nov 2009

The complainant made a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to the Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust for the text of any compromise agreements it had entered into with doctors and a list of exploratory or illustratory issues which were covered by the compromise agreements. Furthermore the complainant asked the Trust to provide … Continue reading Liverpool Womens NHS Foundation Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 17 Nov 2009

Redbridge London Borough Council (Decision Notice): ICO 13 Sep 2007

The complainant requested from the London Borough of Redbridge (‘the Council’) confirmation of the dates of ingoing and outgoing correspondence taken directly from what he referred to as ‘the Leisure Department Correspondence Database’ (‘the database’). The complainant’s belief in the existence of the database was based on telephone conversations between himself and officers in the … Continue reading Redbridge London Borough Council (Decision Notice): ICO 13 Sep 2007

Wandsworth Council (Decision Notice): ICO 8 Mar 2011

The complainant submitted a request to the London Borough of Wandsworth concerning documents relating to the Trewint Street bridge over the River Wandle. The public authority stated that it had released many details since the correspondence began between the two parties on this issue in 1983. It further said that much of the information was … Continue reading Wandsworth Council (Decision Notice): ICO 8 Mar 2011

Magherafelt District Council (Decision Notice): ICO 19 May 2009

On 22 February 2008 the complainant requested information from Magherafelt District Council in relation to disciplinary action taken against members of The Council staff and the statistics involved. The complainant asked that the information cover the previous three year period. The complainant made it clear in his request that personal information about any individual was … Continue reading Magherafelt District Council (Decision Notice): ICO 19 May 2009

British Airways Plc v Ryanair Limited: ChD 25 Oct 2000

The claimant alleged that disparaging adverts by the defendant infringed its trade marks and amounted to the tort of malicious falsehood. Held: There was no dispute that the mark had been used. The Act could not be used to prevent any use of another’s trade mark in comparitive advertising. In this case the advertisement, though … Continue reading British Airways Plc v Ryanair Limited: ChD 25 Oct 2000

University of Oxford (Decision Notice): ICO 31 Mar 2009

The complainant requested information held by several Universities, including Oxford University in relation to research it may have undertaken or be undertaking with primates. This included numbers and species of primates used in previous returns already provided to the Home Office along with a summary of any current research and the species being used. The … Continue reading University of Oxford (Decision Notice): ICO 31 Mar 2009

University of Oxford (Decision Notice): ICO 10 Aug 2009

The complainant requested information from the University of Oxford concerning scientific experiments carried out on a macaque that was featured in a BBC television documentary. The University provided some information however withheld the remaining information on the grounds that it was exempt under section 38 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and explained that … Continue reading University of Oxford (Decision Notice): ICO 10 Aug 2009

University College London (Decision Notice): ICO 31 Mar 2009

The complainant requested information held by several Universities, including University College London in relation to research it may have undertaken or be undertaking with primates. This included numbers and species of primates used in previous returns already provided to the Home Office along with a summary of any current research and the species being used. … Continue reading University College London (Decision Notice): ICO 31 Mar 2009

Highways Agency (Decision Notice): ICO 16 Jul 2009

The complainant made a request to the Highways Agency for the legal advice obtained by it in relation to a planning inquiry relating to restrictions put in place at the Orwell Crossing Lorry Park in Suffolk both before and after the Planning Inspector made his decision to allow the appeal by the lorry park owners … Continue reading Highways Agency (Decision Notice): ICO 16 Jul 2009

University of East Anglia (Decision Notice): ICO 21 Sep 2009

The complainant requested information from the University of East Anglia relating to the University’s Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) system. The University replied to the request, refusing to release any information, citing exemption under section 41(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, but informing the complainant of his right to a review and appeal. … Continue reading University of East Anglia (Decision Notice): ICO 21 Sep 2009

Wood Green High School (Decision Notice): ICO 16 Jul 2009

The complainant made a request to the Governing Body of Wood Green High School (the ‘School’) for information relating to the letting of School facilities. The School provided its lettings policy but refused to provide the complainant with the rest of the requested information and relied upon the provisions contained at sections 12 and 14 … Continue reading Wood Green High School (Decision Notice): ICO 16 Jul 2009

Environment Agency (Decision Notice): ICO 29 Mar 2011

The complainant submitted a request to the Environment Agency for the current draft of the proposed Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order it submitted to the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. The Environment Agency initially refused to disclose the draft Order on the grounds that it did not hold it as it … Continue reading Environment Agency (Decision Notice): ICO 29 Mar 2011

National Offender Management Service (Decision Notice) FS50190664: ICO 28 Sep 2009

The complainant made two requests for information concerning a medical examination on his late son on 13 August 1999, including the doctor’s name who conducted it. The public authority responded that it held no recorded information. The Commissioner determined that it was incorrect in this determination and therefore breached sections 1(1)(a) and (1)(1)(b) of the … Continue reading National Offender Management Service (Decision Notice) FS50190664: ICO 28 Sep 2009

Forest Heath District Council (Decision Notice): ICO 10 Jul 2007

The complainant asked the public authority for information relating to a specific planning issue. The public authority withheld it under section 42 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (section 42) claiming legal professional privilege and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information. The Commissioner found … Continue reading Forest Heath District Council (Decision Notice): ICO 10 Jul 2007

Home Office (Central Government) FS50671327: ICO 6 Apr 2017

ICO The complainant has requested information relating to Longport Freight Shed. The Home Office failed to respond to this request for information and the Commissioner’s decision is that in doing so Home Office breached sections 1(1) and 10(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). The Commissioner requires the Home Office to issue a … Continue reading Home Office (Central Government) FS50671327: ICO 6 Apr 2017

Cabinet Office (Central Government) FS50611073: ICO 3 Apr 2017

ICO The complainant requested information relating to the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information (the Commission). The Cabinet Office denied holding information for one part of the complainant’s request. For the other requests, it refused to disclose the relevant information because it was third party personal data under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information … Continue reading Cabinet Office (Central Government) FS50611073: ICO 3 Apr 2017

Queens College (Decision Notice): ICO 8 Aug 2011

The complainant made two sets of requests to the Queen’s College for information principally relating to the proposed sale of land at Keresley, which formed part of larger plans for a residential development. The public authority responded by stating that, for most parts of the request, it did not hold recorded information. Where any information … Continue reading Queens College (Decision Notice): ICO 8 Aug 2011

Royal Mail (Decision Notice): ICO 19 Nov 2007

The complainant made a request for several pieces of information to Royal Mail Group PLC (‘Royal Mail’). This was treated as a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the ‘Act’). Royal Mail provided some information relating to the request. However it refused to provide a large proportion of the information requested, stating that … Continue reading Royal Mail (Decision Notice): ICO 19 Nov 2007

Pepper (Inspector of Taxes) v Hart: HL 26 Nov 1992

Reference to Parliamentary Papers behind Statute The inspector sought to tax the benefits in kind received by teachers at a private school in having their children educated at the school for free. Having agreed this was a taxable emolument, it was argued as to whether the taxable benefit was the cost to the employer, or … Continue reading Pepper (Inspector of Taxes) v Hart: HL 26 Nov 1992

Civil Aviation Authority (Decision Notice): ICO 19 Jun 2007

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the ‘FOIA’) the complainant requested copies of Airprox, or similar, reports in relation to three incidents involving aircraft. By way of background, the public authority defines an Airprox incident as a situation when, in the opinion of a pilot or a controller, the distance between aircraft as well … Continue reading Civil Aviation Authority (Decision Notice): ICO 19 Jun 2007

Hurworth Parish Council (Decision Notice) FS50520329: ICO 5 Mar 2014

ICO The complainant has requested disclosure of information about ANPR cameras. The ICO provided the complainant with some information in response to this request but confirmed that it did not hold any further information relevant to the scope of the request. The Commissioner considers that the ICO was correct to confirm that it did not … Continue reading Hurworth Parish Council (Decision Notice) FS50520329: ICO 5 Mar 2014

Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Nhs Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 14 Jun 2007

The complainant requested information about the Local Awards Committee, in relation to an application he had made for a Clinical Excellence Award. By way of background, the Local Awards Committee assesses applications for these awards, and the members of the Committee score each of the candidates. The complainant specifically requested the identities of the Committee … Continue reading Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Nhs Trust (Decision Notice): ICO 14 Jun 2007

BBC (Decision Notice) FS50236191: ICO 27 Oct 2009

The complainant requested information regarding the decision not to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) appeal for Gaza. The public authority refused to provide the information claiming that it was outside the scope of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 because it was held for the purposes of journalism, art or literature. It was stated … Continue reading BBC (Decision Notice) FS50236191: ICO 27 Oct 2009