Information Commissioner's Office

Department for International Development

18 December 2017, Central government

The complainant has requested information regarding contracts between the Department for International Development (DfID) and external organisations. DfID aggregated the requests as provided under section 12(4) of the Act and refused to comply with the requests citing section 12(1) of the Act. The Commissioner’s decision is that DfID is entitled to aggregate the requests under section 12(4) and is entitled to rely on section 12(1) of the Act to refuse to comply with the requests. However, the Commissioner considers that DfID has not complied with its obligations under section 16 of the Act to provide the complainant with reasonable advice and assistance. The Commissioner requires the public authority to provide the complainant with sufficient advice and assistance to enable her to make a meaningful request under the Act. The public authority must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.

FOI 12: Not upheld FOI 16: Not upheld