Wirral In It Together

The Request: A complainant requested access to a specific UK prison’s local operational policies from the Ministry of Justice. [1]The MoJ Refusal: The MoJ refused to comply, citing Section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), claiming the request was vexatious or placed a disproportionate burden on the department. [1]

Case Details

The ICO Ruling: The Information Commissioner reviewed the case (Decision Notice IC-392374-H8J8) and ruled that the request was not vexatious. The MoJ was ordered to issue a fresh response without relying on Section 14(1).[1]

What is a Section 14(1) Refusal?

Under the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) guidelines, Section 14(1) allows UK public authorities to refuse FOI requests if they are deemed “vexatious”. This applies if a request: [1, 2]

- Imposes a disproportionate burden on public resources or staff time.
- Lacks any serious purpose or value.
- Is designed to cause disruption or harassment to the department. [1, 2]

Because Section 14(1) is a high legal threshold, the ICO regularly overturns department decisions if it determines that the public interest or the simplicity of the data request does not genuinely abuse the FOI system. [1, 2]

Return to Bomb Alley 1982 – The Falklands Deception, by Paul Cardin

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I’ve been very busy … I’ve needed to be. Below are 101 examples of Wirral Labour / Tory / LibDem scandals, abuse of disabled people, corruption, lies, cover-ups, distortions, conflicts of interest, whitewash investigations, kickbacks, cronyism, control of the local media, gags, bumper pay-offs and clean bills of health to the guilty … and much more … all gathered over the last 10 years.

Return to Bomb Alley 1982 – The Falklands Deception, by Paul Cardin

Return to Bomb Alley 1982 – The Falklands Deception, by Paul Cardin

Return to Bomb Alley 1982 – The Falklands Deception, by Paul Cardin

Return to Bomb Alley 1982 – The Falklands Deception, by Paul Cardin

Return to Bomb Alley 1982 – The Falklands Deception, by Paul Cardin

Case Details

The ICO Ruling: The Information Commissioner reviewed the case (Decision Notice IC-392374-H8J8) and ruled that the request was not vexatious. The MoJ was ordered to issue a fresh response without relying on Section 14(1).[1]

What is a Section 14(1) Refusal?

Under the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) guidelines, Section 14(1) allows UK public authorities to refuse FOI requests if they are deemed “vexatious”. This applies if a request: [1, 2]

Because Section 14(1) is a high legal threshold, the ICO regularly overturns department decisions if it determines that the public interest or the simplicity of the data request does not genuinely abuse the FOI system. [1, 2]

Return to Bomb Alley 1982 – The Falklands Deception, by Paul Cardin

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