Civil Procedure Rule Committee

The complainant requested information relating to a consultation on reforms to the provision of court documents to non-parties. The Civil Procedures Rule Committee (CPRC) confirmed it holds the requested information but refused to provide it, citing section 36 (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the withheld information is exempt from disclosure on the basis of sections 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii) and that the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. However, he finds a procedural breach in its handling of the request. The Commissioner requires no steps to be taken as a result of this decision.