University of Manchester

The complainant has made multiple requests for information to the University of Manchester (‘the University’). The University refused all the requests, citing section 14(1) (vexatious requests) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the University was entitled to refuse requests two to five as vexatious. It has failed, however, to demonstrate why request one is vexatious. The Commissioner requires the University to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: provide a response to request one that doesn’t rely on section 14(1). The public authority must take these steps within 30 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 Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.