A couple of points/questions here:
Firstly, and it applies to public authorities, the DPA doesn't allow for a
vexatious request to be refused but the FoIA does. Do we consider whether
the request for information is vexatious before applying the FoIA exemption
as it is a request for personal information?
Secondly, we occasionally get SARS from solicitors acting on behalf of their
clients and not necessarily in dispute with the University. Such requests
are generally not time-consuming. My experience is that we deal with
requests from a small number of what I call committed individuals. A
particular piece of legislation does not create any extra work for us from
these individuals. We just get on with it and release the information to
which they are entitled.
Mike Lloyd
> From: Peter Lane <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Peter Lane <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 22:07:57 +0100
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Vexatious SAR's - uh?
>
> Interesting article at :
>
> http://www.vnunet.com/news/1156820
>
> about the EC's involvement in the Durant issue and it's implications etc.
> Nothing new there I suppose fro readers here although I did find the
> following extract rather amusing :
>
> .......George Gardiner of law firm Gardiner & Co supported the court's
> decision. "There has been a huge increase in vexatious data subject requests
> as a prelude to litigation, but now these individuals have to look elsewhere
> for their disputes," he said.
>
> Somewhat bizarre then that most of the "vexatious" SAR's I receive are from
> law firms and solicitors (on behalf of their clients) or from individuals
> who have been advised by law firms and solicitors to obtain information as a
> platform for litigation !!!! - I hasten to add however that of course not
> all law firms and solicitors carry on as described..........
>
> Friday looming.......
>
> Peter Lane.
>
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