Review and Appeal

Review and Appeal
There is a two stage appeal process. The first step is an internal review by a more senior member of staff of the Board. The second stage is an appeal to the Information Commissioner. You may appeal any failure to respond to your application within 4 weeks, or any decision to refuse information, to defer access to information, or in relation to fees or other charges.
Details of the review and appeals mechanisms are as follows:

Internal Review

You may seek an internal review if:

• you are dissatisfied with the initial response received, i.e. refusal of information, form of access, charges, etc.; or
• you have not received a reply within 4 weeks of the initial application.

This is deemed to be a refusal of a request and allows you to proceed to internal review.
Requests for an internal review should be submitted in writing to:

Freedom of Information Officer

Legal Aid Board

Quay St.

Cahirciveen

Co. Kerry

Tel: 066 9471022

Fax: 066 9471035

Email: info@legalaidboard.ie

Such a request for an internal review must be submitted within 4 weeks of the initial decision. The Board must complete the review within 3 weeks. An internal review must be completed normally before an appeal may be made to the Information Commissioner. Fees are also payable for reviews and appeals (see separate section on fees).

Appeal to the Information Commissioner

Following completion of an internal review, you may seek an independent review of the decision from the Information Commissioner. Also, if an application for internal review is not replied to within 3 weeks, this is deemed to be a refusal and the matter can be appealed to the Information Commissioner. Appeals in writing may be made directly to the Information Commissioner at the following address:

Office of the Information Commissioner

18 Lower Leeson Street

Dublin 2

Telephone: 01-6395689

Lo call 1890-223030.

Fax: 01-6395674 or 01-6395676

Email: info@oic.ie