All requesters will be advised of their right to appeal in any response sent by Queen Mary (QMUL). If an applicant is not satisfied with the response from QMUL, he or she should appeal in writing to QMUL within 40 working days. The matter will be reviewed and a response sent to the enquirer within 20 working days of the appeal being received, as far as feasible. Should the enquiry still not be satisfied, a complaint may be made to the Information Commissioner (ICO) who will decide whether the request has been properly handled. The address is:
Information Commissioner's Office Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF
After investigating a complaint the Information Commissioner will inform the applicant and the public authority about his decision in a Decision Notice. In cases where the Commissioner has taken the view that Queen Mary has not complied with the Act, he will, by way of the Decision Notice, instruct the public authority to take the necessary steps to ensure compliance, which may include the release of information to the enquirer. Decision Notices are published on the ICO's website.
The applicant and the public authority may appeal against a Decision Notice.
The Information Commissioner may also issue an Enforcement Notice on a public authority which may include instructions on the steps necessary for compliance with the Act. Such a Notice need not arise from the receipt of a complaint from a member of the public.