Estyn Vexatious FOI Request Complaint Not Upheld
Summary
The ICO reviewed a complaint against Estyn regarding a freedom of information request refused as vexatious under section 14(1) FOIA. The Commissioner determined that the complainant's request was indeed vexatious and that Estyn was entitled to rely upon section 14(1) to refuse it. No remedial steps are required from Estyn.
“The Commissioner does not require any steps.”
What changed
The ICO has upheld Estyn's reliance on section 14(1) FOIA to refuse a freedom of information request as vexatious. The complainant challenged Estyn's refusal regarding information about complaint responses and inspection processes relating to a specific school, but the Commissioner found the request met the threshold for being vexatious.
Public authorities handling potentially vexatious FOI requests should note that the ICO will uphold section 14(1) refusals where the request demonstrates the characteristics of a vexatious request, even when the complainant disputes the characterization.
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Apr 22, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Estyn
- Date 15 April 2026
- Sector Education, Regulators
- Decision(s) FOI 14(1): Not upheld The complainant requested information relating to Estyn’s complaint responses and FOIA disclosures made to them, and Estyn’s inspection processes relating to a specific school. Estyn relied on section 14(1) of FOIA (vexatious request) to refuse the request. The Commissioner’s decision is that the request was vexatious and therefore Estyn was entitled to rely upon section 14(1) of FOIA to refuse it. The Commissioner does not require any steps.
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