Department of Justice Northern Ireland

The complainant has requested minutes of meetings, and associated documentation, from the Department of Justice Northern Ireland (the “DOJ”). The DOJ refused to provide the requested information, citing sections 35(1)(a) and 35(3) (Formulation of government policy, etc) and 36(2)(b) and (c) (Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) of FOIA. 
The Commissioner’s decision is that sections 35(1)(a) and 36(2)(b) and (c) have been properly cited. However, he finds that section 35(3) is not engaged. The DOJ is required to confirm or deny whether any further information is held and either disclose that information or issue a fresh refusal notice which does not rely on section 35(3) of FOIA.