Financial Ombudsman Service
- Date 18 March 2021
- Sector Other
- Decision(s) FOI 12: Not upheld, FOI 16: Not upheld
The complainants requested information on senior level discussions in 2018 about the specialist re-mortgage process. The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) refused to comply with the request as it considers to do so would exceed the appropriate cost limit under section 12 of the FOIA. The Commissioner is persuaded that it is unlikely that FOS holds the specific information that has been requested. But her decision is as follows: Under section 12(2) of the FOIA, FOS is not obliged to confirm whether or not it holds information falling within the scope of the request as the cost of doing so would exceed the appropriate limit. FOS offered the complainants adequate advice and assistance and no breach of section 16(1) occurred. The Commissioner does not require FOS to take any remedial steps. Information Tribunal appeal UA-2022-000065-GIA refused.