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Freedom of information extension limited

31 July 2009
Issue: 7380 / Categories: Legal News , Freedom of Information , Other practice areas
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Housing associations, independent schools and other charities are to be excluded from the extension of the freedom of information regime.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) had been expected to add these organisations to the list of public authorities covered directly by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, following a consultation a year ago.

However, it announced this month that they would be excluded, on the basis the burden imposed on them would outweigh the benefits. Tom Morrison, associate at Rollits, says: “There has been a growing feeling among public authorities—and some MPs—that the public’s right of access to information is becoming increasingly inconvenient. Entire administrative structures have had to be put in place solely to deal with information requests since the Act came into force in 2005.”

According to the MoJ, 21% of “resolvable” requests for information under the FOIA were withheld in 2008, compared with 18% in 2005 when the Act came into force.
 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

DWF—19 appointments

DWF—19 appointments

Belfast team bolstered by three senior hires and 16 further appointments

Cadwalader—Andro Atlaga

Cadwalader—Andro Atlaga

Firm strengthens leveraged finance team with London partner hire

Knights—Ella Dodgson & Rebecca Laffan

Knights—Ella Dodgson & Rebecca Laffan

Double hire marks launch of family team in Leeds

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The Supreme Court issued a landmark judgment in July that overturned the convictions of Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo, once poster boys of the Libor and Euribor scandal. In NLJ this week, Neil Swift of Peters & Peters considers what the ruling means for financial law enforcement
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Bea Rossetto of the National Pro Bono Centre makes the case for ‘General Practice Pro Bono’—using core legal skills to deliver life-changing support, without the need for niche expertise—in this week's NLJ
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve reports on Haynes v Thomson, the first judicial application of the Supreme Court’s For Women Scotland ruling in a discrimination claim, in this week's NLJ
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