The First‑tier Tribunal has struck out an appeal by the London Borough of Havering after the authority failed to comply with case management directions and did not attend a scheduled Case Compliance Hearing.
In a decision issued on 14 January 2026, Judge Harris ruled that the appeal - lodged in January 2025 against an Information Commissioner’s decision notice - should be struck out under rule 8(3)(a) of the Tribunal Procedure (First‑tier Tribunal) (General Regulatory Chamber) Rules 2009.
Havering had been ordered on 11 November 2025 to provide the Tribunal with a hearing bundle by 5th January 2026. According to the decision, the council failed to do so and did not offer any explanation for the non‑compliance.
The same directions required the authority to attend or be represented at a Case Compliance Hearing on 13 January 2026. Judge Harris noted that the council again failed to engage and attempts by the Tribunal clerk to contact the authority on the morning of the hearing were unsuccessful.
Both the Information Commissioner and the second respondent, Kevin Johnson, attended the hearing.
Judge Harris said it was in the interests of justice to proceed despite the council’s absence, given the lack of any explanation for its non‑attendance.
The judge concluded that Havering’s failure to file the required bundle and its failure to attend the hearing amounted to clear grounds for striking out the appeal.
The appeal was therefore struck out in full, with the Tribunal summarily determining all issues against the council.
The London Borough of Havering has been contacted for comment.
