Ministry of Justice
- Date 23 August 2017
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 10: Upheld, FOI 31: Upheld
On 18 July 2016 the complainant requested information about the guidance given to staff using the Ministry of Justice Mercury information system used in prisons. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Ministry of Justice correctly relied on the section 31 (law enforcement) FOIA exemption to withhold the information requested in part 2 of the request and has disclosed the information requested in parts 1 and 3. The delay by the Ministry of Justice in responding to the request was a breach of section 10(1) FOIA (time for compliance). The Commissioner requires the public authority to take no further steps to comply with the legislation. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2017/0239 dismissed.