Information Tribunal imposes duty to seek clarification of request | Practical Law

Information Tribunal imposes duty to seek clarification of request | Practical Law

The Information Tribunal has overturned a decision of the Information Commissioner and concluded that, where a request for information was unclear, a public authority, in this case the Cabinet Office, was under a duty to ask the complainant to clarify his request in order to identify the information requested. This decision confirms that a public authority is under a positive duty to assist a person seeking information and cannot avoid disclosure on account of a lack of clarity in a request. Case: Dr C Lamb v Information Commissioner, 16 November 2006.

Information Tribunal imposes duty to seek clarification of request

Practical Law UK Legal Update Case Report 1-206-2156 (Approx. 4 pages)

Information Tribunal imposes duty to seek clarification of request

by PLC IP&IT
Law stated as at 16 Nov 2006United Kingdom
The Information Tribunal has overturned a decision of the Information Commissioner and concluded that, where a request for information was unclear, a public authority, in this case the Cabinet Office, was under a duty to ask the complainant to clarify his request in order to identify the information requested. This decision confirms that a public authority is under a positive duty to assist a person seeking information and cannot avoid disclosure on account of a lack of clarity in a request. Case: Dr C Lamb v Information Commissioner, 16 November 2006.