Freedom of Information Officer's Handbook

Freedomof information (FOI) is now an international phenomenon with over 100 countriesfrom Albania to Zimbabwe enacting the right to know for their citizens. Since2005, the UK's Freedom of Information Act has opened up thousands of publicbodies to unparalleled scrutiny and prompted further moves to transparency. This book provides a comprehensive guide to the practical management of freedomof information compliance, including interpretation of the Act as well as theEnvironmental Information Regulations.TheUK Freedom of Information Act has now been in force for 12 years. Despiteregular attempts to reform it - most recently the government's establishment ofan Independent FOI Commission in 2015-16 - it has largely survived intact. Thisbook documents best practice, the light that is cast by regulator guidance andcase law, and the author's views on how FOI should be managed now that it hasmatured and become embedded in public authorities. It's hoped that the bookwill cement a positive approach to FOI in public bodies and help them to bettermeet their obligations.TheFreedom of Information Officer's Handbook will be required reading for anyone responsible for,or involved with, managing compliance with FOI. The book will also cover FOI inother parts of the British Islands, so will be of interest to practitioners inthe Isle of Man, Jersey, Scotland and Ireland. A substantial portion of thebook focuses on practical aspects of delivering FOI, which are not unique tothe UK, so the book will have relevance to those managing FOI obligations inother countries around the world.