John Barrett

Summary

The requester asked for the reasons and benefits of retaining an Isle of Man barrister, but the Cabinet Office refused to provide new information stating it was already reasonably accessible via previous FOI responses.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2019-10-10 and responded to on 2019-10-16.
• The authority cited Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 to refuse the request.
• The information requested is available in previous FOI responses numbered 982537 and 980113.
• The outcome was classified as 'No information sent - all held but exempt'.
• The requester was informed of their right to an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Data Disclosed

• 1001258
• 2019-10-10
• 2019-10-16
• 15 October 2019
• 982537
• 980113
• IM1 3PN
• 01624 686244

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information already reasonably accessible)

Original Request

What was the reason for using an of island barrister and what was the benefit in retaing his services

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 1001258 15 October 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 10 October 2019 and which states:

"What was the reason for using an of island barrister and what was the benefit in retaing [sic] his services"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. All of the information that you have requested is available from responses to previous Freedom of Information requests. Please find below the links to the published responses Freedom of Information Request 982537
Freedom of Information Request 980113 Please quote the reference number 1001258 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on;

1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
   In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely