What can the ICO do to resolve my complaint?

What are the possible outcomes of my complaint?

Where possible we will try and resolve your complaint informally.

When we do take formal enforcement action, this will likely be in the form of a decision notice.

A decision notice is a formal document that explains whether the Information Commissioner thinks a public authority has complied with the law when dealing with a specific request. The notice might instruct the public authority to take steps to comply with the law.

Can the ICO get me the information I requested from the public authority?

Our role is to find out if your request was handled correctly.

When we decide a public authority has not handled your request correctly, we may order them to disclose some or all of the information by issuing a decision notice.

When we decide a public authority has handled your request correctly, for example withholding information that is not suitable for public use, we will support their decision.

Will the public authority be fined if the ICO upholds my complaint?

No. We cannot fine public authorities, even when we decide a public authority has not handled a request correctly.

Can the ICO award me compensation?

No. The ICO cannot award compensation, even when we decide a public authority has not handled a request correctly.

What if I am unhappy with the outcome of my complaint?

If you disagree with our decision, you have the right to appeal to the First Tier Tribunal (Information Rights).

If you are unhappy with the service you have received from the ICO, you can complain.