freedom of information

Increasing suspicion and speculation about the activities of, and costs incurred by, public authorities have led to a body of law aimed at delivering transparency over publicly funded services. In practice, the law bites not only on readily identifiable public authorities but also on private businesses that provide services to the public sector.

law:matix has significant experience of the information giving and information obtaining regime under the Freedom of Information Act having advised public authorities as well as individuals and private sector businesses on this evolving and increasingly used area of law.

Our services include advising on:

• publication schemes. Advising public authorities on the preparation and maintenance of publication schemes

• obtaining access to information held by public authorities

• application of statutory exemptions  and inter-related legislation

• tendering. Advising public authorities on the freedom of information aspects of tendering; advising those tendering for public authority contracts on the implications of working in the public sector

• appeals and complaints. Advising on the appeals process and complaints to the Information Commissioner

• policies and templates. Drafting staff policies and templates for ensuring consistent application of your organisation's policy on disclosure of information

See also our training page for details of our Freedom of Information workshops, tuition, elearning and public speaking services.