The Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner ('JOIC') published, on 24 March 2021, a decision dated 29 December 2020, on a freedom of information request complaint relating to withheld information by the Health and Community Services Department of Jersey. 

Background of the case

In particular, the JOIC noted that complainant in the case had requested for information to be disclosed under a freedom of information request  which included personal data on particular individuals, to the Health and Community Services Department, however the information requested were deemed to be witheld to avoid breach personal data requirements under the  Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018 ('the Law'). Thus, leading to an internal review request by the Health and Community Services Department, which the internal review also concluded the witholding of the information requested was valid. Therefore, the JOIC stated that the complainant submitted a complaint for an investigation on the freedom of information request and the internal review to be investigated by the JOIC, alleging the requested information will not breach the Law under the public interest principle.. 

Findings of the JOIC

Following the above, the JOIC submitted its analysis on the Law and the principle of public interest to conclude wether the withholding of the information was valid by the Health and Community Services Department, citing that the department had acted appropriately during the freedom of information request.

Outcomes of the case

The JOIC dismissed the appeal against the Health and Community Services Department response, including the internal review outcome, stating that the the Law was correctly applied by the department. 

You can read the decision here.