North Sea Transition Authority (formerly Oil and Gas Authority)
- Date 7 November 2025
- Sector Central government, Other
- Decision(s) EIR 11: Upheld, EIR 12(4)(e): Not upheld, EIR 12(5)(b): Not upheld
The complainant has requested from the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) a copy of the gap analysis paper mentioned in the Board meeting minutes for May 2023. The NSTA refused to provide the requested information applying section 36 FOIA – prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs, section 42(1) FOIA – legal professional privilege, regulation 12(4)(d) of the EIR – material in the course of completion, regulation 12(4)(e) of the EIR - internal communications and regulation 12(5)(b) of the EIR – course of justice etc. The Commissioner’s decision is that regulations 12(5)(b) and 12(4)(e) of the EIR are engaged and that the public interest favours maintaining both exceptions. However, the NSTA breached regulation 11 of the EIR as it failed to complete an internal review within 40 working days. The Commissioner does not require further steps.