Riot Compensation Act
Date of request: 3 January 2025
Reference: 017/25
Request
How many Riot Compensation Act claims did your claims authority receive between 30th July 2024 and 2nd January 2025?
If possible, how many claims were in connection to the national disorder that took place between 30th July and 6th August 2024?
What is the value of Riot Compensation Act claims your claims authority received between 30th July 2024 and 2nd January 2025? Please provide:
a)The total figure in pound sterling
b) If possible, figures broken down by individual claim
If possible, please provide the value of Riot Compensation Act claims your claims authority received which were in connection to the national disorder that took place between 30th July and 6th August 2024. Please provide:
a) The total figure in pound sterling
b) If possible, figures broken down by individual claim
What is the value of Riot Compensation Act claims your claims authority paid out to claims made between 30th July 2024 and 2nd January 2025? Please provide:
a) The total figure in pound sterling
b) Figures broken down by individual claim, if possible, including the highest and lowest amounts claimed in pound sterling and any unsuccessful claims and their amounts
If possible, please provide the value of Riot Compensation Act claims your claims authority paid out to claims made which were in connection to the riots that took place between 30th July and 6th August 2024. Please provide:
a) The total figure in pound sterling
b) Figures broken down by individual claim, including the highest and lowest amounts claimed in pound sterling
Please provide any relevant additional information or comments.
Response
No information is held in relation to concluded claims within the scope of your request.
I can neither confirm nor deny whether any additional information is held relating to claims received under the Riot Compensation Act in the specified timeframe where proceedings are ongoing. In the event that such information were held, it would be protected by Legal Professional Privilege.
The exemption applicable is therefore Section 42(2) relating to Legal Professional Privilege. This states that
The duty to confirm or deny does not arise if, or to the extent that, compliance with section 1(1)(a) would involve the disclosure of any information (whether or not already recorded) in respect of which such a claim could be maintained in legal proceedings.
Section 42 is a class based, qualified exemption. This means there is no requirement to demonstrate any prejudice or adverse effect when applying this exemption, however there is a need to apply a public interest test; that is, to consider whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in confirming or denying whether information is held.
Public Interest Test – Section 42
Factors favouring disclosure
Confirmation or denial as to whether information is held may go some way to providing transparency and accountability. It would provide some insight in relation to the force’s decision-making process regarding disclosure of information in these circumstances.
Factors against disclosure
The general public interest inherent in maintaining this exemption will always be strong due to the importance of the principle behind Legal Professional Privilege: safeguarding openness in all communications between client and lawyer to ensure access to full and frank legal advice, which in turn is fundamental to the administration of justice.
Balance Test
Given the inherent factors described that weigh in favour of maintaining this exemption, it is our view that some clear, compelling and specific justification, beyond those factors listed above, would be required to shift the overall public interest in favour of disclosure. We have not identified such justification as being present in this case, and with additional factors identified that weigh against disclosure, the decision in this case is to maintain the exemption.