Coronavirus, war and industry
FOIMan tells the story of how a major world event fundamentally changed a company – eventually making it a world leader. Since most of us are stuck at home, it’s a good time for stories. A …
COVID19 and FOI requests
FOIMan comments on calls to suspend FOI as public authorities rightly prioritise dealing with the implications of COVID19. It would be a vast understatement to say that these are difficult times. Public authorities from hospitals …
First prosecution under s.77 of FOIA
FOIMan reports on the first prosecution for obstructing an FOI request in the UK. In the midst of everything that’s going on, a very significant development in UK FOI may have escaped your notice. Last …
FOI and pandemics
FOIMan recalls a previous pandemic scare and an FOI request it provoked. The current spread of coronavirus COVID-19 is dominating the news. As might be expected at such a time, there is much interest from …
Breaking the camel’s back
FOIMan analyses the Information Commissioner’s decisions in relation to the use of s.14(1) of the UK FOI Act to refuse burdensome requests. A few weeks ago I promised to bring you an article on the …
Vexatious requests and burden: new ICO policy?
FOIMan spots a very strict interpretation of s.14 of FOIA in a recent ICO decision notice. Readers will be aware that amongst the tools available to practitioners concerned about the burden that FOI requests impose …