Dennis Goodwin v Information Commissioner

Facts

The appellant had a long history of dealings with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, comprising complaints, correspondence, subject access requests and freedom of information requests about the handling of complaints and the Trust's governance. The Trust regarded many of the matters raised as already investigated and concluded, and found the continuing pattern of correspondence burdensome. On 8 May 2025 the appellant asked the Trust for a copy of its SA06 Management of Complaints and Concerns Policy (Version 8, 2023), a list or summary of the changes made in the current Version 9 (2024), and documents justifying or explaining those changes, including meeting minutes, equality impact assessments, consultation feedback and rationale documents. The Trust responded, but the appellant remained dissatisfied and sought an internal review. The Trust later said it regarded aspects of his conduct as harassment and asked him to cease contact. When the Information Commissioner raised section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Trust contended that the request, in its wider context, was vexatious. By Decision Notice IC-370374-Z3K1 dated 24 March 2026 the Commissioner concluded that section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 applied. The appellant appealed to the First-tier Tribunal under section 57 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Commissioner did not attend the hearing on 9 October 2026.