Vexatious request for information, new guidance from Information Commissioner

New guidance was issued by the Information Commissioner in May 2013. 

Under Section 14(1) Freedom of Information Act 2000, public authorities do not have to comply with vexatious requests. Don't forget it is the request which is vexatious, not the individual making it!

In cases where the issue is not clear-cut, the key question to ask is whether the request is likely to cause a disproportionate or unjustified level of disruption, irritation or distress.

Vexatious = “manifestly unjustified, inappropriate or improper use of a formal procedure”


Indicators of vexatiousness are:

• abusive or aggressive language
• burden on the authority
• personal grudges
• unreasonable persistence
• intransigence
• unfounded accusations
• frequent or overlapping requests
• deliberate intention to cause annoyancescatter gun approach
• on obvious intent to obtain information
• futile requests

See the complete guidance on the ICO website