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06 May 2025
Issue: 8115 / Categories: Legal News , Freedom of Information
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Freedom of information: vital statistics

Public bodies received 83,041 freedom of information (FoI) requests last year—an increase of 18%—according to the annual FoI statistics for 2024, released last week

The statistician’s note attributes most of this increase to the National Archives. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) received 4,755 FoI requests, and met the 20-day deadline in 90% of cases (4,257 cases).

In contrast, the Home Office received 6,320 requests and met the deadline in 81% of cases (5,134 cases) and the Crown Prosecution Service met the deadline for 800 of its 877 requests (91%). 

Issue: 8115 / Categories: Legal News , Freedom of Information
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

From mowing lawns to life at the Bar: Stephen Ward reflects on an unconventional career

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Commercial property partner joins Clarke Willmott in Southampton

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Robert Tiffen joins Ellisons as Partner in growing Norwich office

NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

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