defence in an action for breach of confidence then the exemption is not
maintained.
35. In Coco -v- A N Clark (Engineers) Limited [1968] F.S.R.415 Megarry J identified a
three part test to determine if the obligation of confidence is brought into
being. These parts are first that the information must have the necessary
quality of confidence. Secondly the information must have been imparted in
circumstances importing an obligation of confidence. The third element is that
there must be unauthorised use of the information.
36. Coco also referred to whether a claimant would need to show detriment
resulting from the unauthorised use. Meggary J (at 48) recognised that it
might in some situations not apply and in Bluck v ICO & Epsom and St Helier
University Hospital NHS Trust, EA/2006/0090 the Tribunal in dealing with a
request for the medical records of a deceased child by her parent held:“... the principle to be drawn from this is that, if disclosure would be contrary to an
individual's reasonable expectation of maintaining confidentiality in respect of his
or her private information, then the absence of detriment in the sense apparently
contemplated in the argument presented on behalf of the Appellant, is not a
necessary ingredient of the cause of action. …”
37. In Derry City Council -v- the Information Commissioner (EA/2006/0014) the
Tribunal set out the following list of issues to be determined when considering
section 41:(a) was the information obtained by the Council from a third party, for the
purposes of section 41(1)(a) and, if so
(b) would its disclosure constitute an actionable breach of confidence, that is:
(i) did the information have the necessary quality of confidence to justify the
imposition of a contractual or equitable obligation of confidence?; if so
(ii) was the information communicated in circumstances that created such an
obligation?; and, if so
(iii) would disclosure be a breach of that obligation?;
and, if this part of the test was satisfied:
(c) would the Council nevertheless have had a defence to a claim for breach of
confidence based on the public interest in disclosure of the information?
38. In Evans v Information Commissioner [2012] UKUT 313 (AAC) the UT held (at 38):-
11