Vexatious or Repeated Requests

In certain circumstances the University may choose not to respond to a request which is considered to be 'vexatious' or 'repeated'. There are provisions laid out in the FOISA and EIRs to allow for such circumstances.

• Vexatious or repeated requests – section 14(1) and 14(2) FOISA: Scottish public authorities are not obliged to comply with requests for information that are vexatious or repeated.
• Manifestly unreasonable or general requests – regulations 10(4)(b) & (c) EIRs: Scottish public authorities may refuse requests for environmental information that are manifestly unreasonable, while regulation 10(4)(c) justifies refusal where requests are formulated in too general a manner.
• Frivolous or vexatious applications – section 49(1) FOISA: this applies to applications made to the Commissioner under FOISA and the EIRs, and gives the Commissioner the discretion not to reach a decision on an application which, in the Commissioner's opinion, is frivolous or vexatious

The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner states: 'Public authorities should not use these provisions lightly - applicants cannot be unjustly denied the opportunity to make a genuine information request. Requests may be inconvenient, and meeting them may at times stretch an authority's resources, but these factors are not on their own sufficient to deem a request vexatious or manifestly unreasonable.' 

The University recognises its responsibility to respond where possible and will assess each request on a case-by-case basis following the Commissioner's guidance on Vexatious or Repeated Requests.