Liam McCarthy v The Information Commissioner

Liam McCarthy v The Information Commissioner

On the balance of probabilities, the Council did not hold any information within the scope of the request because any relevant emails were held by councillors in their capacity as elected members, not on behalf of the Council as a public authority.

Parties
Appellant: Liam McCarthy; Respondent: The Information Commissioner
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
30 May 2024
Procedural Posture
Information Rights Appeal / Final Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Freedom of Information, Environmental Information Regulations, Public Authority Records, Scope of Information Held, Role of Councillors

Case Brief

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Parties

Liam McCarthy

Appellant

The Information Commissioner

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Information Rights Appeal / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Council held information within the scope of the request under FOIA/EIR
  2. 2 Whether councillors' emails were held on behalf of the Council

Ratio Decidendi

On the balance of probabilities, the Council did not hold any information within the scope of the request because any relevant emails were held by councillors in their capacity as elected members, not on behalf of the Council as a public authority.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed