Section 27 — Official Information Act 1982: Reasons for refusal of requests for personal information

27 Reasons for refusal of requests for personal information (1) A Department or Minister of the Crown or organisation may refuse to disclose any personal information requested under section 24(1) of this Act if, and only if,— (a) The disclosure of the information would be likely to prejudice any of the interests protected by section 6(a) to (d) or section 7 or section 9(2)(b) of this Act and (in the case of the interests protected by section 9(2)(b) of this Act) there is no countervailing public interest; or (b) The disclosure of the information would involve the unwarranted disclosure of the affairs of another person or of a deceased person; or (c) The disclosure of the information or of information identifying the person who supplied it, being evaluative material, would breach an express or implied promise— (i) Which was made to the person who supplied the information; and (ii) Which was to the effect that the information or the identity of the person who supplied it or both would be held in confidence; or (d) [Repealed] (e) [Repealed] (f) [Repealed] (g) The disclosure of the information would breach legal professional privilege; or (h) The request is frivolous or vexatious, or the information requested is trivial. (1A) No reasons other than one or more of the reasons set out in subsection (1) of this section justifies a refusal to disclose any personal information requested under section 24(1) of this Act. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(c) of this section, the term evaluative material means evaluative or opinion material compiled solely— (a) For the purpose of determining the suitability, eligibility, or qualifications of the person to whom the material relates for the awarding of contracts, awards, or other benefits; or (b) For the purpose of determining whether any contract, award, or benefit should be continued, modified, or cancelled; or (c) For the purpose of deciding whether to insure any person or property or to continue or renew the insurance of any person or property. Subsection (1)(a) was substituted, as from 1 April 1987, by section 4(2) Official Information Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 8). Subsection (1)(d) to (f) were repealed, as from 1 July 1993, by section 7(1) Official Information Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 36). Subsection (1A) was inserted, as from 1 April 1987, by section 15(2) Official Information Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 8). Subsection (2) was substituted, as from 1 July 1993, by section 7(2) Official Information Act 1993 (1993 No 36).