Link to IOC for full Decision notice pdf file: Ministry of Justice (MoJ) (Central government) [2025] UKICO 345447 (14 May 2025)
The complainant requested information relating to the current holder of a specified Registrar role. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) ultimately confirmed it holds some information in scope of the request. It provided some relevant information, but withheld the remainder, citing sections 22 (information accessible to applicant by other means) and 40 (personal information) of FOIA. The MoJ later withdrew its reliance on section 40, stating instead that the requested information is not held. The complainant disputes that the MoJ does not hold the requested information relating to the educational qualifications and professional experience of the Registrar. The Commissioner's decision is that, on the balance of probabilities, the MoJ does not hold the requested information relating to their educational qualifications and professional experience. The MoJ has therefore complied with section 1(1)(a) of FOIA. The Commissioner requires no steps to be taken as a result of this decision.