Investigations performance
Resolving cases...
When a valid application is received by the Commissioner, an investigation is carried out to determine whether the public authority in question acted appropriately in its handling of the information request.
The average age of cases under investigation continued to decline during 2009, meaning that individual applications are being resolved more quickly. The average age of cases closed during 2009 was 5.3 months, down from 6.7 months the previous year, and 10 months in 2007.
By the end of 2009, only 1% of cases had been under investigation for over 12 months, compared to 10% in 2008, 12% in 2007 and 29% in 2006.
Cases closed within 4 months – 2005-2009
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
| Cases closed without investigation: | |||||
| 4 months or less | 98 | 209 | 206 | 121♦ | 102 |
| More than 4 months | 2 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 15 |
| Total cases closed: | 100 | 220 | 214 | 125♦ | 117 |
| Cases closed during investigation: | |||||
| 4 months or less | 37 | 42 | 60 | 69 | 78 |
| More than 4 months | 7 | 42 | 75 | 52 | 25 |
| Total cases closed: | 44 | 84 | 135 | 121 | 103 |
| Cases closed with decision: | |||||
| 4 months or less | 47 | 49 | 44 | 36 | 53 |
| More than 4 months | 51 | 198 | 205 | 138 | 113 |
| Total cases closed: | 98 | 247 | 249 | 174 | 166 |
♦ 2008 figure restated – two cases reopened during 2009
'Open' cases exclude two related cases which have been suspended pending the outcome of a police investigation concerning a possible offence under section 65 of FOISA. This matter has been referred to the Procurator Fiscal.
** Excludes two related cases which have been suspended pending the outcome of a police investigation concerning a possible under section 65 of FOISA.
