Written by Kevin Dunion, the first Scottish Information Commissioner, this uniquely informed text provides detailed commentary on the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004. Fully referenced to the Commissioner's own decisions and court judgements, it also considers in detail key issues of interpretation since the law came into effect. It is an essential handbook for anyone working with, or using, freedom of information law in Scotland.

This book provides a comprehensive guide to the practical management of freedom of information compliance, including interpretation of the Act as well as the Environmental Information Regulations.

The Blackstone's Guide Series delivers concise and accessible books covering the latest legislative changes and amendments. Published soon after enactment, they offer expert commentary by leading names on the scope, extent and effects of the legislation, plus a full copy of the Act itself. They offer a cost-effective solution to key information needs and are the perfect companion for any practitioner needing to get up to speed with the latest changes. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force on 1 January 2005, creating a new statutory 'right to open government'. It has imposed new duties on public authorities regarding the disclosure and handling of information. The new edition of this popular Blackstone's Guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Act, combined with comment and analysis on the effect of the legislation. It incorporates and discusses the case law and decisions emerging from the Information Commissioner, Information Tribunal/First-tier Tribunal, and the High Court, including Her Majesty's Treasury v ICO, British Union for the Abolition of Anti Vivisection v Home Office and ICO, and Home Office and MOJ v ICO, as well as relevant decisions of the Scottish Information Commissioner. It also includes analysis of the replacement of the Information Tribunal by the First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) and the Upper Tribunal. Up-to-date with all changes since the publication of the previous edition, and containing a fully updated copy of the Act, this Blackstone's Guide is an essential purchase for all those involved in receiving requests for access under the Act.

Freedom of Information: A Practical Guide for UK Journalists is written to inform, instruct and inspire journalists on the investigative possibilities offered by the Freedom of Information Act. Covering exactly what the Act is, how to make FOI requests and how to use the Act to hold officials to account, Matt Burgess utilises expert opinions, relevant examples and best practice from journalists and investigators working with the Freedom of Information Act at all levels. The book is brimming with illuminating and relevant examples of the Freedom of Information Act being used by journalists, alongside a range of helpful features, including: • end-of-chapter lists of tips and learning points; • sections addressing the different areas of FOI requests; • text boxes on key thoughts and cases; • interviews with leading contemporary journalists and figures working with FOI requests. Supported by the online FOI Directory (www.foidirectory.co.uk), Freedom of Information: A Practical Guide for UK Journalists is a must read for all those training or working as journalists on this essential tool for investigating, researching and reporting.

“An essential addition to the bookshelf of any practitioner who has to consider information rights, however often. The book is the best kind of practitioner text: practical and clear, but also scholarly, thoughtful and analytical.” (Sarah Hannett KC, Judicial Review) Retaining the position it has held since first publication, this is the 6th edition of the leading practitioner text on all aspects of information law. The latest edition includes a substantially enlarged set of chapters on appeals, enforcement, and remedies, as well as covering over 250 new judgments and decisions published since the last edition. Information Rights has been cited by the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the Tribunals, and is used by practitioners, judges and all those who practise in the field, including journalists. The new edition maintains its style of succinct statements of principle, supported by case law, legislative provisions, and statutory guidance. The work is divided into 2 volumes. Volume 1 is a 1,500-page commentary, with a comprehensive coverage of the data protection regime, freedom of information and environmental information law, as well as other rights of access to official information such as local government legislation and the Public Records Act. There is detailed coverage of appeal and regulatory procedures. Volume 2 comprises extensive annotated statutory material, including the DPA 2018, the UK GDPR, FOIA, Tribunal rules and statutory guidance. Contributors: James Findlay KC, Olivia Davies, John Fitzsimons, Richard Hanstock and Dr Christina Lienen (all of Cornerstone Barristers); Antony White KC, Sarah Hannett KC, Sara Mansoori KC and Aidan Wills (all of Matrix Chambers); Aidan Eardley KC and Clara Hamer (both of 5RB); Rupert Bowers KC and Martin Westgate KC (both of Doughty Street Chambers); Henry King KC and Bankim Thanki KC (both of Fountain Court Chambers); James Maurici KC and Jacqueline Lean (both of Landmark Chambers); Gemma White KC (Blackstone Chambers); Oliver Sanders KC (1 Crown Office Row); Saima Hanif KC (3VB); Jennifer Thelen (39 Essex Chambers); and Simon McKay (McKay Law).

This volume contains articles examining freedom of information statutes, including those protecting government employees who expose official misconduct. Using United States laws as examples, the articles explore the relationship of these laws to administrative and constitutional theory in the United States. In addition, they demonstrate how varying conceptions of information illuminate the controversies in the application of these laws to the revolution in the electronic storage and retrieval of information. The articles allow the reader to speculate how the connection of these laws to liberal democratic theory explains their recent adoption in several countries and their international application.

Freedom of information (FOI) is now an international phenomenon with over 100 countries from Albania to Zimbabwe enacting the right to know for their citizens. Since 2005, the UK’s Freedom of Information Act has opened up thousands of public bodies to unparalleled scrutiny and prompted further moves to transparency. Wherever the right to know is introduced, its success depends on the way it is implemented. In organisations worldwide, FOI only works because of those who oversee its operation on a day-to-day basis, promoting openness, processing requests and advising colleagues and the public. FOI is dependent on the FOI Officers. The Freedom of Information Officer’s Handbook is a comprehensive guide to FOI and its management. It is designed to be an indispensable tool for FOI Officers and their colleagues. It includes: - a guide to the UK’s FOI Act, the right to know and the exemptions - clear analysis of the most important case law and its implications for the handling of FOI requests - pointers to the best resources to help FOI officers in their work - explanations of how FOI interacts with other legislation, including detailed explorations of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and how the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation impacts on FOI - a look at requirements to proactively publish information and the effect of copyright and re-use laws on FOI and open data - comparisons of the UK’s Act with FOI legislation in other jurisdictions from Scotland to South Africa - an exploration of the role of the FOI Officer: who they are, what they do, their career development and what makes them effective - suggestions on how to embed FOI within an organisation using effective procedures, technology and training - a stage-by-stage guide to processing requests for information. The Freedom of Information Officers’ Handbook includes the latest developments in FOI including amendments made to the UK’s FOI Act by the Data Protection Act 2018 and the revised s.45 code of practice published by the Cabinet Office in July 2018.

As from 1 January 2005, Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation will come fully into force throughout the UK and could potentially change the way in which the public sector manages information. This report provides practical advice on how to achieve compliance with the Acts; the report helps to ensure successful management of the key risks that the Acts may pose to organisations across the UK. The report also introduces some of the change management issues that will need to be addressed within organisations to facilitate the transition to a more open culture of FOI. - Suggestions for the practical implementation of FOI, focusing on processing requests for information - Checklists that will enable those responsible for FOI implementation to monitor organisational progress towards compliance - Easy-to-read and discrete chapters that allow quick referencing for each subject within the book

The introduction of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) revolutionised the public's access to public authority information, notably through decisions made by the Information Commissioner, Information Tribunal and courts. The third edition of this practical and authoritative handbook assimilates amendments to the FOIA made by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, and covers: changes to the law on the disclosure of datasets by public authorities the extension of the FOIA to cover companies owned by more than one public authority changes to the role of Information Commissioner recent decisions of the Information Commissioner and Information Tribunal.Written by a team of leading experts in the field of freedom of information, the Freedom of Information Handbook is indispensible for Freedom of Information Officers, legal officers and legal departments in public bodies, and those advising clients with commercial or contractual interests affected by the FOIA. The book has been adopted as the key text for those undertaking the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information qualification.

Now a vital part of the British system of government, the 2005 Freedom of Information Act also plays an important role in developing local democracy. This detailed review explores the need for freedom of information in modern liberal democracies, and addresses how the accountability of local authorities may best be ensured.