Information Commissioner's Office

Summary wording for website: The complainant has made a four part request for information relating to legal services contracts, consultants, and recruitment and selection of the ICO's Data Ethics Adviser. The Commissioner refused to comply with the first and second parts of the request (IRQ0905486 and IRQ0842630) under section 12 FOIA as it would exceed the cost limit to do so. The complainant has refined the second part of the request (IRQ0842630) but disputes the application of section 12 FOIA to the first part of the request (IRQ0905486). The Commissioner considers that the ICO correctly refused to comply with the request under section 12 FOIA. However it failed to comply with its obligations under section 16 FOIA in relation to the first part of the request. The Commissioner requires the public authority to provide advice and assistance in relation to the first part of the request, refused under section 12 FOIA at the internal review stage. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2021/0145 appeal dismissed.