Freedom of Information Workshops | London, UK | FOI compliance with practical scenarios

Freedom of Information

Freedom of Information Workshop Series
Wednesday 9th February 2005 - London, UK

On the day following the Freedom of Information Conference we will be hosting four half-day workshops, which can be booked with the conference or separately. The aim of the FOI Workshops is to provide delegates with an opportunity to examine a practical scenario with respect to a particular area of FOI compliance. Papers relating to the scenario will be distributed to delegates prior to the Workshop, allowing delegates to prepare questions for the Workshop leader, if they wish to do so.

Each FOI Workshop will be hosted by one or more experts in the relevant field and there will be considerable opportunity to put questions to the Workshop leader during the session. Lunch will be provided for all delegates on the Workshop day.

:: Reserve a place at any of the four FOI Workshops

Workshop Speakers and Topics

:: Practical issues of compliance
Claire Walsh – Office of the Information Commissioner

Public authorities will need to be aware of the issues regarding compliance with the FOIA and what the Information Commissioner's Office expects from them. This workshop will examine:

Compliance with FOIA and what the Commissioner expects
Codes of Practice - what are they and what relevance they have to practical day-to-day compliance

Delegates will work on a practical scenario in the session with Claire Walsh of the Information Commissioner's Office.

:: Building the records management system – audits and file plans
Kelvin Smith – National Archives

The workshop will focus on Step 5 of a Model Action Plan for developing records management compliant with the Code of Practice under section 46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. It will examine how important it is for public authorities to know what information they hold, how they might best reach that point, and what are the best ways of managing the information ( paper and electronic ) so that FOI requests can be dealt with quickly and efficiently. In particular it will include:

undertaking a records audit - objectives, methodology, evaluation
structuring current information - paper, electronic systems, email

Workshop participants will be better prepared to handle FOI requests and to promote business efficiency within their organisations.

:: Bearing it all - The challenges for the private sector
Eduardo Ustaran – Field Fisher Waterhouse

The session will look at how to minimise the risk of exposure of commercial information available in contracts with public authorities. A practical, hands on case study will guide delegates through the following issues:

The application of exemptions
The role of confidentiality and the public interest test
The tendering process strategy
How to deal with existing contracts
How to adopt a sensible FOI risk management strategy

:: Applying the exemptions
Dijen Basu – Barrister - Devereux Chambers

Public authorities holding information and those seeking it will need to understand the limits on the right of access to information. Public authorities will need to be aware of the exemptions available to them. The media, pressure groups, contractors and the public will want to know how to push the boundaries. This workshop will examine:

general exceptions to the right to know
absolute exemptions under the 2000 Act
the scope of qualified exemptions
government papers, advice and statistics
traffic enforcement and CCTV surveillance
pushing the boundaries

Participants will work through the exemptions, exploring both their scope and their limitations.

:: Click to view FOI Workshop Speakers' biographies

Note: Although everything possible will be done to ensure the attendance of the advertised FOI Workshop leaders, P&DP reserve the right to make use substitute leaders where a leader becomes unavailable.

Workshop Pricing and Booking

Discounted rate* ONLY applies to: Local Authorities, NHS Trusts and PCTs, Fire Services, Police Authorities and Educational Institutions. All other organisations will be charged the Private Sector and Central Government rate.

One Workshop
£450 plus VAT - Private Sector and Central Government
£295 plus VAT - Discounted rate*

Two Workshops
£650 plus VAT - Private Sector and Central Government
£450 plus VAT - Discounted rate*

To reserve a place at any of the FOI Workshops, please register via:

:: Submit your details via our online application form

:: Download PDF file: workshop flier and application form

:: Telephone the Conference Line on: 0845-226 5723

Note: If you wish to attend and book for the Freedom of Information Conference as well as a FOI Workshop, please submit your details via this online application form

The Freedom of Information Conference and Workshop Series to be held at

Kingsway Hall Conference Centre
Covent Garden
Great Queen Street
London WC2B 5BX
United Kingdom

Please note

Conference registration will begin at 9.00am with a prompt commencement time of 9.30am.
There will be plenty of networking opportunities at each of the breaks throughout the day and at the meal break.
A three-course lunch will be provided - please tell us via the online application form if you require a vegetarian option.
Law Society: 3 CPD Points will be accredited for any of these FOI Workshops.

P&DP's legal notice Updated: 19/01/05