Governing Body of St Mary’s University

The complainant requested all coronavirus risk assessments from the Governing Body of St. Mary’s University (the University) as well as the date that staff were instructed to work from home by the University. The University had failed to provide a substantive response by the date of this notice. The Commissioner’s decision is that the University failed to respond to the request within 20 working days and has therefore breached section 10 of the FOIA. The Commissioner requires the University to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Issue a substantive response, in accordance with its obligations under the FOIA, to the request. The University must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the FOIA and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.