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Information Act 2002
110Investigation of complaint
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110 Investigation of complaint
(1) If the Commissioner accepts a complaint, the Commissioner must
investigate the matter complained of.
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(2) Subject to this section, the Commissioner may carry out an
investigation in the manner the Commissioner considers
appropriate.
(2A) If the matter complained of is a decision of a public sector
organisation relevant to providing access to information about a
third party, the Commissioner may require the public sector
(a) to seek the views of the third party in relation to the disclosure
of the information; and
(b) if the third party's views are obtained – to inform the
Commissioner of those views.
(2B) Subsection (2C) applies if:
(a) the complaint is made by a third party under section 30(6) or
section 103 in relation to a public sector organisation's
decision to provide access to information about the third party
(the third party information); and
(b) during the investigation, the Commissioner is satisfied the
applicant no longer wishes to be provided with access to the
third party information; and
(c) the public sector organisation consents to the Commissioner
acting under subsection (2C).
(2C) If this subsection applies, the Commissioner may, instead of
completing the investigation, determine the complaint by deciding
that the applicant must not be provided with access to the third
party information.
(2D) The Commissioner may dismiss the complaint if, during the
investigation or mediation of the matter complained of, the
Commissioner is satisfied for any reason, including the complainant
not complying with a direction or requirement of the Commissioner,
that the complainant no longer wishes to pursue the complaint.
(2E) At any time after accepting a complaint, the Commissioner may
refer the matter to mediation under section 111.
(2F) If the matter is resolved by mediation or other agreement before the
investigation is completed, the Commissioner must discontinue the
investigation.
(3) On completing an investigation, the Commissioner must decide
whether there is sufficient prima facie evidence to substantiate the
matter complained of.
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(4) If there is sufficient evidence and the matter has not been referred
under subsection (2E) to mediation, the Commissioner must refer
the matter to mediation under section 111.
(5) If there is insufficient evidence, the Commissioner must dismiss the
(6) The Commissioner must notify the relevant parties in writing of how
the Commissioner has dealt with the complaint under this section.