Part I Preliminary

6 The Commissioner and the Tribunal.

F11

For the purposes of this Act and of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 there shall be an officer known as the Information Commissioner (in this Act referred to as “the Commissioner”).

2

The Commissioner shall be appointed by Her Majesty by Letters Patent.

F23

For the purposes of this Act and of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 there shall be a tribunal known as the Information Tribunal (in this Act referred to as “the Tribunal”).

4

The Tribunal shall consist of—

C1C2a

a chairman appointed by the Lord Chancellor after consultation with the Lord Advocate,

C1b

such number of deputy chairmen so appointed as the Lord Chancellor may determine, and

c

such number of other members appointed by the F5 Secretary of State as he may determine.

5

The members of the Tribunal appointed under subsection (4)(a) and (b) shall be—

F6a

persons who satisfy the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a 5-year basis,

b

advocates or solicitors in Scotland of at least F75 years’ standing, or

c

members of the bar of Northern Ireland or F8solicitors of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland of at least F75 years’ standing.

6

The members of the Tribunal appointed under subsection (4)(c) shall be—

a

persons to represent the interests of data subjects,

F3aa

persons to represent the interests of those who make requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000,

b

persons to represent the interests of data controllers F4and

bb

persons to represent the interests of public authorities.

7

Schedule 5 has effect in relation to the Commissioner and the Tribunal.