{"product_id":"freedom-of-information-the-law-the-practice-and-the-ideal","title":"Freedom of Information: The Law, the Practice and the Ideal","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Freedom of Information: The Law, the Practice and the Ideal, the book is recommended for legal practitioners, academics and students who need a thorough, contextual study of the UK Freedom of Information regime. Patrick Birkinshaw presents a sustained, documented account of how the FOI Act has operated since coming into force and why it matters for constitutional debate, making this work valuable where readers want a clear exposition of the interplay between \u003cstrong\u003eFOI law\u003c\/strong\u003e and privacy. The bottom line: this is a scholarly, practice-oriented resource that explains both the law and its practical tensions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical context:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explains enactment in 2000 and operation since 2005 so readers understand the statute's development and impact.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJurisprudence review:\u003c\/strong\u003e Surveys decisions by the Information Commissioner, the Information Tribunal and the courts to show how FOI principles have been applied in practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on national security:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discusses government responses to the war on terror and the rise of secrecy claims, helping readers see tension between security and transparency.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrivacy balance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examines amendments to the Data Protection Act and how personal data protection interacts with FOI requests, useful for practitioners handling requests involving personal information.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolicy perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e Considers demands for constitutional reform and the wider implications of increased transparency for public law.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book suits lawyers working in administrative and public law, academic researchers studying transparency or constitutional reform, and advanced law students who need a thorough treatment of FOI doctrine and practice. Its emphasis on decisions and statutory amendments makes it practical for professionals advising on FOI requests and data protection issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose seeking a brief primer or a how-to manual for making FOI requests should look elsewhere; this is not a layperson's quick guide but a detailed legal and contextual examination best read by those comfortable with legal analysis and statutory interpretation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComprehensive treatment of the FOI Act and the case law that shapes its operation in the UK.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear discussion of the tension between \u003cstrong\u003enational security\u003c\/strong\u003e claims and transparency, which clarifies contemporary challenges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInsightful examination of how amendments to data protection law affect FOI practice, valuable for practitioners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot aimed at casual readers; the tone and detail are scholarly and assume some legal background.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreedom of Information: The Law, the Practice and the Ideal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePatrick Birkinshaw\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary subject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreedom of Information law in the United Kingdom\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey coverage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInformation Commissioner and tribunal decisions, courts, national security, data protection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLegal context\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEnacted 2000; in operation since 2005\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBalance of transparency and protection of personal information\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor legal professionals and scholars who need an informed, context-rich account of the UK FOI regime, this book is a sound purchase because it combines statutory history, case law review and discussion of data protection amendments to illuminate real-world tensions between secrecy and openness. It represents good value as a reference and teaching text in administrative law.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book cover case law since FOI came into effect?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It surveys decisions of the Information Commissioner, the Information Tribunal and the courts that have shaped FOI practice since 2005.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a practical guide for submitting FOI requests?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The book focuses on legal analysis, jurisprudence and policy rather than step-by-step guidance for requesters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it discuss privacy and data protection?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It examines amendments to the Data Protection Act and how personal data protections interact with FOI obligations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Patrick Birkinshaw","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48188567191771,"sku":"052171608X","price":88.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61rq-YfNCKL._SL1360.jpg?v=1769620529","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/freedom-of-information-the-law-the-practice-and-the-ideal","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}