20 June 2024
Sue
[FYI request #27017 email]
Kia ora
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-032639
Thank you for your email of 27 May 2024, asking for the fol owing information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
I request a list of ACC's policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, processes and other documents for:
(A) contracting external legal counsel to represent ACC in disputes with claimants, and
(B) notification to claimant of ACC having contracted external legal counsel and the limits of the
external legal counsel's representation, and
(C) ACC employees cc'ing external legal counsel into communications to the claimant about matters
that are not under review or before the Court.
The Code says you will provide honest and accurate answers to claimant's questions. I am a
claimant.
Please explain specify which of ACC's policies, processes, rules, guidelines or other documents,
advise employees to cc external legal counsel in email correspondence with claimants, when that
correspondence is not related to decision that was referred to review or a matter before the Court,
and how that document is consistent with ACC's obligations under the Code (right 1, 2, 5, 6, 7) and
the Privacy Act (IPP 3, IPP 5, IPP 11).
1. ACC is required to make a decision about whether to grant or refuse your request as soon as
reasonably practicable and within 20 working days of receiving the request. ACC considers this request
is one of multiple requests made by the same requester, which may affect ACC’s decision to grant or
refuse the request.
2. In order for ACC to make a decision on this request, ACC requests that you provide:
a. Your ful name and confirmation of your identity, and
b. the reasons for the request.
3. We ask that this information be provided as soon as possible to enable us to make a decision on your
requests. This may include ACC extending the timeframe for responding, charging for the request, or
refusing to grant the request because:
a. ACC has already provided this information in an earlier request; and/or
b. the information requested cannot be made available without substantial col ation or research;
and/or
c. the request is frivolous or vexatious or the information requested is trivial; and/or
d. the request may relate to matters including proceedings under Part 5 of the Accident
Compensation Act 2001.
4. If you would prefer, this information can be provided confidential y to ACC at the fol owing address:
Manager OIA Services, ACC, PO Box 242, Wellington, or by email to
[email address]. Any information/documentation provided establishing your
GOV-032639 Page 1 of 2
identity will be used solely for that purpose and destroyed after. Please reference this request when
doing so:
GOV-032639.
5. We look forward to receiving the information requested at paragraph 2.
If you have any questions about this response, please get in touch
You can email me a
t [email address]. If you are not happy with this letter, you can also
contact the Ombudsman via
[email address] or by phoning 0800 802 602. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
Ngā mihi
Christopher Johnston
Manager Official Information Act Services
Government Engagement
GOV-032639 Page 2 of 2
Document Outline
