Summary: The complainant requested information relating to all court and tribunal cases that Cambridgeshire County Council (-the council-) had been involved in since January 2007. The council refused to comply with the request on the basis of an exclusion relating to costs under section 12(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (-the FOIA-). The complainant did not dispute the application of section 12(1) but he did ask the Commissioner to consider whether the council had breached its obligation under section 16(1) to provide reasonable advice and assistance. The Commissioner-s decision is that the council breached its obligation under section 16(1) of the FOIA to offer reasonable advice and assistance. However, he does not require any steps to be taken in light of the explanation provided in this notice and the offer to search up to the appropriate limit.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 16 - Complaint Upheld