David Morris v The Information Commissioner

David Morris v The Information Commissioner

The tribunal found that the appellant's requests, viewed in the context of his extensive history of similar requests and correspondence, imposed a disproportionate burden on the public authority, lacked objective public interest or value, and constituted an inappropriate and improper use of FOIA. The requests met the high threshold for vexatiousness under section 14(1) FOIA, entitling the public authority to refuse them. The Commissioner's decision notice was in accordance with the law and required no exercise of discretion differently.

Parties
Appellant: David Morris; Respondent: The Information Commissioner
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
04 September 2025
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Final Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Freedom of Information, Vexatious Requests, Section 14 FOIA, Public Authority Resources
Administrative Law Information Law Freedom of Information Vexatious Requests Section 14 FOIA Public Authority Resources

Case Brief

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Parties

David Morris

Appellant

The Information Commissioner

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the public authority was entitled to rely on section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to refuse the appellant's requests as vexatious.

Ratio Decidendi

The tribunal found that the appellant's requests, viewed in the context of his extensive history of similar requests and correspondence, imposed a disproportionate burden on the public authority, lacked objective public interest or value, and constituted an inappropriate and improper use of FOIA. The requests met the high threshold for vexatiousness under section 14(1) FOIA, entitling the public authority to refuse them. The Commissioner's decision notice was in accordance with the law and required no exercise of discretion differently.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed.
  • The public authority was entitled to rely on section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to refuse the requests.