Disproportionate Diversion of Resources (Section 7(9))

Section 7(9) provides that information shall ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought, unless doing so would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the record.

This is one of the most misused provisions. Some PIOs cite 7(9) to refuse information altogether — that is wrong. Section 7(9) only allows the PIO to change the format or mode of access (for example, offering inspection of voluminous records instead of photocopies). It does not permit refusal of the information itself. A denial of information "under Section 7(9)" is challengeable.