New FOI courses offered by the Campaign for Freedom of Information

Forthcoming Freedom of Information training courses provided by the Campaign for Freedom of Information:

'Information Commissioner & Tribunal Decisions - what do they mean in practice?' Central London 16 May 2006


The UK Information Commissioner has issued over 150 decision notices under the UK FOI Act and EIRs since the beginning of 2005. The Scottish Information Commissioner has issued over 120 notices, many throwing light on issues not yet addressed in UK decisions. The Information Tribunal, has issued its first decisions on appeals against the UK Commissioner, adopting a distinctive, pro-openness approach. Between them these decisions provide many important rulings demonstrating how the exemptions, public interest test and procedural requirements of the legislation should be applied.

Further information - http://www.cfoi.org.uk/pdf/courseleaflet.pdf


'Scottish Information Commissioner Decisions - what do they mean in practice?' Glasgow 31 May 2006

This course is similar in approach to the above course but will focus on decisions issued by the Scottish Information Commissioner. It will also cover decisions of the UK Commissioner & Tribunal which have implications for Scottish public authorities.

Further information - http://www.cfoi.org.uk/pdf/glasgowcourse.pdf

'Get to Grips with the Freedom of Information Act!' Central London 9 May 2006

This course will provide users with the practical knowledge to make effective use of the FOI Act and Environmental Information Regulations. It will provide a working guide to the legislation, including:
  • using the FOI Act to challenge decisions or uncover stories
  • lessons learnt from the Act's first 16 months
  • cracking the first secret - what's in the files?
  • how to draft an effective request
  • potential pitfalls and how to avoid them
  • navigating your way round the exemptions
  • using the Act's most powerful feature - the public interest test
  • the role of the FOI officer - your new friend in government?
  • why an authority that obstructs you is breaking the law
  • how to challenge refusals
  • the Information Commissioner's early decisions
Further information - http://www.cfoi.org.uk/gettogrips.html

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