Government Legal Department

The complainant made a request for information relating to spending on Government Legal Department (“GLD”) cases at the First-tier Tribunal (information rights). GLD initially refused the request under section 31(1)(c) of FOIA (law enforcement). At internal review the GLD revised its position stating that it was also refusing the request under section 36(2)(c) (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs). During the Commissioner’s investigation, GLD disclosed some information within scope of the request, it however stated that it was withholding information relating to one live case and refused to provide the information under section 36(2)(c) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that GLD was entitled to withhold the remaining information within scope of the request under section 36(2)(c) of FOIA. The Commissioner does not require further steps are requires as a result of this decision.