Debbie Deboo v The Information Commissioner

Facts

The applicant, Debbie Deboo, made a data subject access request to Fa Joes Public House and, dissatisfied with the response, complained to the Information Commissioner on 30 March 2026 under reference IC-497446-F1C0. Progress was slow: on 7 July 2026 the Commissioner's case officer telephoned Fa Joes repeatedly using the publicly available number without success, leaving a voicemail, and wrote the following day asking for a point of contact within seven days. On 14 July 2026 the case officer gave the applicant a formal update apologising for the delay and explaining that a point of contact had first to be identified. A further letter went to the owner on 16 July 2026, and on 22 July 2026 the case officer spoke to the owner by telephone, who confirmed that the data sought had not been retained. That same day the case officer wrote to the applicant explaining that compliance advice and guidance had been given to Fa Joes about handling subject access requests, including the requirement to respond within one calendar month even where nothing is held, that no further regulatory action would be taken, that the complaint was closed, and that she could seek an independent legal remedy through the courts. Meanwhile the applicant had applied to the Tribunal by form GRC3 dated 30 June 2026 under section 166(2) of the Data Protection Act 2018, seeking an order that the Commissioner provide full details of progress and an expected date of resolution. The Commissioner applied to strike out.