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Freedom of Information - future challenges
Thursday, 15th July 2010
VENUE:Congress Hall, Congress Centre, 28 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
Graham Smith
Professor Robert Hazell
Guests of Honour: Professor Robert Hazell, Director of the Constitution Unit, School of Public Policy, University College London and Graham Smith, Deputy Commissioner and Director, Freedom of Information, Information Commissioner's Office
The seminar is timed as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) reaches its fifth anniversary and the new Government seems set to extend the scope of the Act. The seminar will examine the Act's impact on all public authorities, as well as more widely for citizens, the business community and for government.
As budget constraints tighten, sessions are expected to address practical issues faced by organisations subject to the FOIA, with a particular focus on the handling of information requests, the challenge of good practice in data management, and the use of proactive disclosure in the light of an increasing emphasis on a 'culture of transparency'.
In addition, discussion will focus on how the FOIA is affecting decision making across all public authorities, the relationship between the FOIA, the Data Protection Act and Environmental Information Regulations, as well as an evaluation of the systems in place to handle complaints and FOI request appeals.
We are delighted that Professor Robert Hazell, Director of the Constitution Unit, School of Public Policy, University College London; Jane Sigley, Head of Freedom of Information Strategy and Policy, Ministry of Justice and Graham Smith, Deputy Commissioner and Director, Freedom of Information, Information Commissioner's Office will be delivering keynote addresses at this seminar.
Other confirmed speakers include: Dr Mirza Ahmad, President, Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors and Corporate Director of Governance, Birmingham City Council; Patricia Barratt, Senior Associate, Public Policy Group, Clifford Chance; Robin Callender Smith, Judge, First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights); Jenny Carpenter, Senior Policy Advisor, Environmental Information Unit, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Maurice Frankel, Director, Campaign for Freedom of Information; Hazel Grant, Partner, Bristows; Professor Robert Hazell, Director of the Constitution Unit, School of Public Policy, University College London; Paul Jackson, Legal Services, Office for National Statistics; Matthew Stephenson, Head of Information Governance, University of Salford and Chairman of the Records Management Society and Dr Benjamin Worthy, Research Associate, Freedom of Information and Data Protection Unit, the Constitution Unit, University College London. Further senior participants are being approached.
Lord Redesdale and Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC have kindly agreed to chair this seminar.
