Colin Bidewell v The Information Commissioner & Anor

The Tribunal found the request was manifestly unreasonable and unjustified, imposing an undue burden on the Cabinet Office, lacking value or serious purpose, and forming part of a pattern of repetitive, broad, and ambiguous requests. The Information Commissioner was correct to find the request vexatious under s14(1) FOIA, and the Decision Notice was lawful.

Parties: Appellant: Colin Bidewell; First Respondent: The Information Commissioner; Second Respondent: The Cabinet Office
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Judgment Date: 10 July 2025
Procedural Posture: Appeal / Final Judgment
Outcome: Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics: Vexatious Requests, FOIA S14(1), Equality Act Compliance, Public Sector Procurement, Access to Information

Administrative Law Information Rights Freedom of Information Vexatious Requests FOIA S14(1) Equality Act Compliance Public Sector Procurement Access to Information

Case Brief

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Parties

Colin Bidewell

Appellant

The Information Commissioner

First Respondent

The Cabinet Office

Second Respondent

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

1 Whether the FOI request was vexatious under s14(1) FOIA
2 Whether the Cabinet Office was entitled to refuse the request
3 Whether the Information Commissioner's Decision Notice was lawful

Ratio Decidendi

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed