Information law
Specialist legal advice on freedom of information, access to environmental information, official secrecy and information rights, for public authorities, regulated bodies and those who seek to hold them to account.
Similarly, information law sits at the heart of transparency, accountability and the relationship between public authorities and the individuals, organisations and communities they serve. Whether you are a public body managing a complex freedom of information request, a business seeking access to government-held information, a regulated entity navigating official secrecy obligations, or a private party asserting or defending information rights, our Information Law team provides the specialist expertise you need.
Our practice spans the full breadth of information law across the UK, Ireland, the EU and beyond. From freedom of information and environmental information access to data protection in both the private and public sector (as the context requires), official secrets, open justice and emerging digital information rights.
Why information law matters: transparency, accountability and risk
For public bodies, failure to comply with information law and environmental legal obligations can result in enforcement action by regulator, reputational damage and judicial review proceedings. Information-seeking campaigners can quickly overwhelm public bodies with requests for information. For private organisations, information law provides a powerful tool for accessing government-held data relevant to commercial decisions, regulatory proceedings and legal disputes.
For all organisations operating in the public sphere, whether as public authorities or as businesses subject to public scrutiny, understanding and managing information rights is an essential component of good governance.
Our information law team advises clients across the UK and Ireland on the full spectrum of freedom of information, environmental information access and information rights matters. Whether you need guidance on responding to a complex FOI request, challenging a refusal, anticipating requests by proactively reviewing a publication scheme or managing the interaction between FOI and data protection law, we are here to help.
Our information law team advises clients across the UK and Ireland on the full spectrum of freedom of information, environmental information access and information rights matters. Whether you need guidance on responding to a complex FOI request, challenging a refusal, anticipating requests by proactively reviewing a publication scheme or managing the interaction between FOI and data protection law, we are here to help.
Featured experience
Schools
Advice in relation to requests for information which spanned both the Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Regulations regimes, ensuring compliant responses across each separate regime.
Commercial bidder
Preventing disclosure and publication by local and national regulators of valuable client data which were the subject of information rights requests.
Energy provider
Assist dispute teams in managing legal action for unlicensed use of presumed open data sets.
Academy Trust
Advising on a freedom of information campaign in the local community, advice on vexatious requests, drafting responses and representing the client in relation to Information Commissioner’s Office investigations and subsequent tribunal proceedings.
Key contacts
Philip James
Partner
Matthew Alderton
Partner
Charlotte Harpin
Partner
Dmitrije Sirovica
Partner
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