Ulster University

The complainant requested from Ulster University (the University) information related to communications between the University and businesses with regard to the awarding of Honorary Doctorates. The University stated it does not hold information falling within the scope of parts (i), (ii), (vi) and (ix) of the request. It also applied section 12(1) (cost of compliance) of FOIA to parts (vii) and (viii) of the request.
The Commissioner’s decision is that, on the balance of probabilities, the University does not hold information falling within the scope of some parts of the request and has complied with section 1(1) of FOIA. Where recorded information was held and had been disclosed to the complainant, the Commissioner cannot consider the adequacy of the information provided.
The Commissioner also finds that the University was entitled to rely on section 12(1) of FOIA to refuse some parts of the request. However, he notes that the University had not complied with its obligations under section 16 to provide advice to assist the complainant in refining the request, or to explain why this would not be possible. The University has therefore breached section 16(1) of FOIA.
The Commissioner does not require the University to take any steps as a result of this decision.