Can we refuse a request on the grounds of cost?

Currently, the cost limit for complying with a request or a linked series of requests from the same person or group is set at £450 or 18 hours work for Universities. The University can refuse a request if it is estimated that the cost of compliance would exceed this limit.

When estimating the cost of compliance, you can only take into account the cost of the following activities:

• determining whether you hold the information;
• finding the requested information, or records containing the information;
• retrieving the information or records; and
• extracting the requested information from records.

If the Department considers that this exemption may apply then please contact the FOI Unit promptly.