Increasing suspicion and speculation about the activities of, and costs incurred by, public authorities have led to a body of law aimed at delivering ‘open government’ and transparency of officialdom. 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 Freedom of Information law having advised both public authorities and private sector businesses on the regime.
Our services include:
publication schemes. Advising public authorities on the preparation and maintenance of publication schemes
obtaining access. Obtaining access to information held by public authorities
application of exemptions. Advising on the application of the statutory exemptions and inter-related legislation
tendering. Advising public authorities on the freedom of information aspects of tendering and those tendering for public authority contracts on the implications
precedents. Drafting precedent responses to Freedom of Information Act requests
appeals. Advising on the statutory appeals process
policies. Drafting staff policies for ensuring consistent application of an organisation's policy on disclosure of information and for providing services to a public authority
training. Providing bespoke workshops and training on the application and implications of the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Information Commissioner investigations. Advising on investigations and enforcement actions by the Office of the Information Commissioner
watching brief. Maintaining a watching brief for changes in law and practice that will affect the organisation