Julian Saunders v Information Commissioner & Anor

Julian Saunders v Information Commissioner & Anor

The Council provided a reasonable estimate, based on partial collation attempts and detailed explanation, that the cost of compliance would exceed the statutory limit. The information is not held in a single place and requires collation and verification from multiple sources. Section 12 FOIA applies and the Council...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Appellant: Julian Saunders; Respondent: Information Commissioner; Respondent: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
07 October 2024
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Final Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Freedom of Information, Section 12 FOIA, Cost of Compliance, Reasonable Estimate, Disclosure of Personal Data
Information Law Administrative Law Freedom of Information Section 12 FOIA Cost of Compliance Reasonable Estimate Disclosure of Personal Data

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Parties

Julian Saunders

Appellant

Information Commissioner

Respondent

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Council was entitled to rely on section 12 FOIA (cost of compliance) to refuse the information request
  2. 2 Whether the Council provided a reasonable estimate that the cost of compliance would exceed the statutory limit

Ratio Decidendi

The Council provided a reasonable estimate, based on partial collation attempts and detailed explanation, that the cost of compliance would exceed the statutory limit. The information is not held in a single place and requires collation and verification from multiple sources. Section 12 FOIA applies and the Council was entitled to refuse the request.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed.