Publisher's Synopsis
The Law of Freedom of Information has become an authoritative practitioner work on the subject. The main work was published to coincide with the coming into force of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and its comprehensive, analytical approach provides the complete reference volume for practitioners advising on the new legislation: those working within or advising the myriad public bodies upon which the Act imposes new duties regarding the disclosure and handling of information; those advising clients with a personal, professional or commercial interest in obtaining information from those newly obliged to provide it; and those in the business community for whom the Act raises important concerns about the potential accessibility of commercially sensitive information. Written by an expert team of public lawyers from New Square Chambers, the book offers a comprehensive analysis of the Act, with detailed coverage of the related subjects of confidentiality, privacy, data protection, official secrets, the internet and whistle blowing. The book contains practical examples of how the Act works, drawn from cases and practice in other jurisdictions where freedom of information has long been a reality, eg United States, Ireland, Canada and Australia. John Macdonald QC, Clive H Jones and the author team have extensive practical knowledge of how government and the public sector work, and how they interconnect with the media and business worlds. The book has a refreshingly practical approach and includes a guide to best practice which will be essential reading for all local government lawyers. It is kept up to date with regular paperback updating supplements. This set includes the first cumulative supplement, which brings the main work up to date to June 2005. It includes full analysis of the guidance issued by the Department for Constitutional Affairs in October 2004 and the current awareness guidance and policy development documents issued by the Information Commissioner. The authors also examine the first decisions of the Commissioner and the decisions of the Ombudsman including her ruling on the disclosure of the advice given by the Attorney General on the legality of the war with Iraq. In addition, the supplement covers recent decisions from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Ireland, as well as UK decisions on data protection and confidentiality.
