Liam O’Hanlon v The Information Commissioner & Anor

Liam O’Hanlon v The Information Commissioner & Anor

The request of 10th June 2023 was vexatious under section 14(1) FOIA due to its repeated, overlapping, and burdensome nature, diminished public interest, convoluted scope, and distress caused to staff; the Commissioner’s Decision Notice was correct in law and discretion.

Parties
Appellant: Liam O’Hanlon; Respondent: The Information Commissioner; Respondent: The Cabinet Office
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 October 2025
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Final Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Freedom of Information Act, Vexatious Requests, Qualified Person Delegation, Public Authority Resources
Administrative Law Information Rights Freedom of Information Act Vexatious Requests Qualified Person Delegation Public Authority Resources

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 4 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Liam O’Hanlon

Appellant

The Information Commissioner

Respondent

The Cabinet Office

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Cabinet Office was entitled to rely on section 14(1) FOIA to refuse the information request as vexatious
  2. 2 Whether the Information Commissioner’s Decision Notice was wrong in law or discretion

Ratio Decidendi

The request of 10th June 2023 was vexatious under section 14(1) FOIA due to its repeated, overlapping, and burdensome nature, diminished public interest, convoluted scope, and distress caused to staff; the Commissioner’s Decision Notice was correct in law and discretion.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed.
  • The Decision Notice of the Information Commissioner is upheld.