Freedom of Information: The Law, the Practice and the Ideal (Law in Context) - Softcover

Birkinshaw, Patrick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 052171608X ISBN 13: 9780521716086

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2010

Synopsis

Enacted in 2000 and in operation in the UK since 2005, the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act has revealed information which has generated calls for constitutional reform. A massive 'information jurisprudence' has developed through the decisions of the Information Commissioner, the Information Tribunal and the courts. Governments' responses to the war on terror have involved increased resort to claims of national security and accompanying secrecy, but these developments have to exist alongside demands for FOI and transparency. FOI has to balance access to and protection of personal information, and major amendments have been made to the Data Protection Act in order to balance the competing demands of transparency and privacy. This detailed discussion of FOI laws and personal data laws examines the historical development of secrecy, national security and government, and their modern context.

About this title

Review:

'... stimulating and scintillating analysis ... most valuable monograph.' European Public Law

Book Description:

Freedom of Information (FOI) laws have generated calls for constitutional reform. Pressures for national security and secrecy must be balanced alongside demands for FOI. This detailed discussion of FOI laws and personal data laws examines the historical development of secrecy, national security and government, and their modern context.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 052171608X
• ISBN 13: 9780521716086
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 578