Blackstone's Guide to the Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Blackstone's Guide Series delivers concise and accessible books covering the latest legislative changes and amendments. Published soon after enactment, they offer expert commentary by leading names on the scope, extent and effects of the legislation, plus a full copy of the Act itself. They offer a cost-effective solution to key information needs and are the perfect companion for any practitioner needing to get up to speed with the latest changes.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force on 1 January 2005, creating a new statutory 'right to open government'. It has imposed new duties on public authorities regarding the disclosure and handling of information.

The new edition of this popular Blackstone's Guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Act, combined with comment and analysis on the effect of the legislation. It incorporates and discusses the case law and decisions emerging from the Information Commissioner, Information Tribunal/First-tier Tribunal, and the High Court, including Her Majesty's Treasury v ICO, British Union for the Abolition of Anti Vivisection v Home Office and ICO, and Home Office and MOJ v ICO, as well as relevant decisions of the Scottish Information Commissioner. It also includes analysis of the replacement of the Information Tribunal by the First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) and the Upper Tribunal.

Up-to-date with all changes since the publication of the previous edition, and containing a fully updated copy of the Act, this Blackstone's Guide is an essential purchase for all those involved in receiving requests for access under the Act.

John Wadham is a solicitor and Group Director of the Legal Directorate of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. He is the author of a number of other publications including the Blackstone's Guides to the Human Rights Act, the Freedom of Information Act and the Identity Cards Act. He was previously the Deputy Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission and, before that, the Director of Liberty (the human rights organization). He has acted for clients in most of the courts and tribunals in this country, including in the Court of Appeal and House of Lords but he specialized in cases before the European Commission and Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Kelly Harris is a solicitor at the Treasury Solicitors Department, specializing in public law, including freedom of information and human rights. Kelly has previously worked in both the private and public sectors in England, Scotland, and New Zealand. She has written and spoken widely on freedom of information matters.

George Peretz is a barrister at Monckton Chambers, specializing in competition law, EU law and freedom of information. George has acted for both public sector and private clients in the Information Tribunal/First-tier tribunal and is on the Treasury Solicitor's FOIA panel. He is a contributor to Bellamy & Child: European Community Law of Competition.