The Law of Freedom of Information First Cumulative Supplement

by Macdonald, John; Crail, Ross; Braham, Colin

• ISBN13: 9780199288069
• ISBN10: 0199288062
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-30
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This supplement to The Law of Freedom of Information covers all of the key developments in the subject up to June 2005, and is an essential purchase for all who have already bought the main work. 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. The supplement and the main work are also available as a pack (ISBN 0199288054: $350.00).

Author Biography

John Macdonald QC is a leading public law silk and high profile campaigner for freedom of information and human rights legislation.

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
How to Use this Supplement	xiii
Tables of Cases	xv
Table of Legislation	xix
Table of Treaties and Conventions	xxiii
B THE PRESENT
Freedom of Information until January 2005	1	(14)
C THE STATUTORY SCHEME
Access to Information Held By Public Authorities	15	(18)
Exempt Information	33	(70)
Enforcement	103	(8)
Historical Records	111	(4)
D A COMPARATIVE VIEW
A Comparison with Freedom of Information Elsewhere	115	(14)
E RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER STATUTES
Data Protection	129	(6)
Medical Records	135	(4)
Whistle-Blowing	139	(8)
Money Laundering	147	(2)
Local Government	149	(2)
The Environment and Other Statutes	151	(12)
F FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND THE COMMERCIAL WORLD
Implications for Business	163	(2)
Freedom of Information in Commercial Disputes	165	(4)
G PRIVACY, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Privacy and Confidentiality	169	(8)
The Human Rights Act 1998	177	(14)
H DEVOLUTION
Scotland	191	(66)
APPENDICES
II: Materials
D1. Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs' Code of Practice on the Discharge of Public Authorities' Functions under Part I of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (issued under section 45 of the Act)	203	(9)
G1. Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 (on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC)	212	(8)
G2. The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (SI 2004 No 3391)	220	(14)
G3. Code of Practice on the Discharge of the Obligations of Public Authorities under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (SI 2004 No 3391) (issued under Regulation 16 of the Regulations, February 2005)	234	(13)
J1. Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004 No 3244)	247	(4)
L. Sectetary of State for Constitutional Affair's and Information Commissioner's Memorandum of Understanding on Freedom of Information (signed 24 February 2005)	251	(6)
Index	257