Frank Uchenna Obienna v Sec State for the Home Dpt

Facts

The failure by Government to acknowledge letters which ask relevant questions about matters of importance to the writer is a serious failure in public administration. A proper system of dealing with a backlog would include a means by which applicants could be informed how long they may have to wait for a decision. It should be possible, if only in broad terms, to tell an applicant how long his or her application may take to be dealt with and to provide the name of someone who can act as a point of contact. It would provide an important element of transperency. If the application of the policy which is now said to be in place cannot provide any indication as to when an application may be dealt with, then it may be open to question whether the policy is being applied fairly and consistently.