Mark Bill v Information Commissioner

Mark Bill v Information Commissioner

The request was exceptionally broad and unfocussed, imposing an undue and disproportionate burden on the NHS Trust (approximately 100 hours of work), with only limited and generalised public interest value. The appellant's repetitive and demanding pattern of prior requests further reinforced the vexatious nature. The Commissioner correctly applied s.14 FOIA; the appeal disclosed no error of law.

Parties
Appellant: Mark Bill; Respondent: Information Commissioner
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
17 June 2025
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Final Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Freedom of Information Act, Vexatious Requests, Public Authority Resources, Transparency, Public Interest

Case Brief

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Parties

Mark Bill

Appellant

Information Commissioner

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Information Commissioner's decision that the appellant's FOIA request was vexatious under s.14 FOIA was correct
  2. 2 Whether the burden imposed by the request outweighs its public interest value

Ratio Decidendi

The request was exceptionally broad and unfocussed, imposing an undue and disproportionate burden on the NHS Trust (approximately 100 hours of work), with only limited and generalised public interest value. The appellant's repetitive and demanding pattern of prior requests further reinforced the vexatious nature. The Commissioner correctly applied s.14 FOIA; the appeal disclosed no error of law.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal refused
  • No further action required by the NHS Trust