Freedom of information law

The public policy practice has been advising on freedom of information issues for many years, both on how to access information, and on how to keep information confidential. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 came fully into force on 1 January 2005, introducing a new statutory right to publicly held information.

Individuals and businesses now, potentially, have access to a vast range of information collected or created by the private sector. Lawyers in the public policy practice have been active in assisting clients to make requests, in advising clients how best to protect information they have provided to government from being disclosed, and in drawing up and advising on internal mechanisms to deal with the requirements of the legislation both for the public and the private sector.

We also advise public sector clients in dealing with FOI requests and assist in presenting legal arguments to the Information Commissioner's Office and to the Information Tribunal.