Cruelty Free International v Information Commissioner & Anor

Facts

The appellant, Cruelty Free International ("CFI"), campaigns against experiments on live animals causing pain, distress, suffering or lasting harm. The Home Office is responsible for granting licences for scientific testing on protected living animals. On 17 May 2023 CFI requested information from the Home Office about licences authorising the testing on animals of ingredients used in certain cosmetic products, wishing among other things to understand how the "harm-benefit" test in section 5B(3)(d) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 had been applied. The Home Office disclosed only part of the material, redacting the rest, and CFI applied to the Information Commissioner for a decision under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. After limited further disclosure, substantial redactions remained, the Home Office relying on section 44(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 read with section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. By a decision dated 2 July 2024 the Commissioner found the exemption properly relied on. The First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) upheld that decision on 10 June 2025, as amended on 4 July 2025, holding itself bound by authority to reject CFI's argument that the absolute exemption was incompatible with article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Upper Tribunal granted permission to appeal on 17 July 2025.