FOI Conference
This unique 2-day Conference gives
delegates up-to-the minute advice and
practical guidance in handling key FOI
compliance issues.
The first day features expert speakers on the latest challenges facing FOI professionals.
On the second day, delegates choose two Workshops that explore topics in-depth and work through real-life scenarios.
The Conference is accredited by the Law Society with 12 CPD
Points.

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The
topics presented at the FOI Conference cover the major
issues facing all public authorities, as well as those
who advise them and those who contract with them |
Conference schedule:
Day 1 -
Tuesday 22nd April 2008:
Speakers'
Presentations, networking lunch
and Wine & Canapés Reception sponsored by DLA Piper
Day 2 -
Wednesday 23rd April 2008:
Six half-day FOI Workshops + networking lunch
Speakers’ Presentations - Day 1
FOI in practice: breaking bad habits and rising to new challenges
Graham Smith, Deputy Information Commissioner, ICO
FOI requests used in court proceedings
Andrew Lidbetter, Partner, Herbert Smith LLP
Information management: treating information as an asset
Natalie Ceeney, Chief Executive of The National Archives
What can be learned from the FOI decisions
Marcus Turle, Partner, Field Fisher Waterhouse
The review process for FOI decisions
Benet Brandreth, Barrister, 11 South Square
Tricky issues when dealing with FOI requests
Bernadette Livesey, Chief Law and Administration Officer, Calderdale Council
Special panel discussion: managing the disclosure risk
Nick Graham -
Partner, Denton Wilde Sapte LLP
Hazel Moffat
-
Partner, DLA Piper
Jan Willem van den Bos
- Senior Associate, Denton Wilde Sapte LLP
Richard Smith, Departmental Freedom of
Information & Data Protection Officer,
Communities & Local Government
Details of Speaker's
presentations and biographies
The Workshops - Day 2
Topics for FOI Workshops:
A:
Public
sector data sharing: when, why, whether, and how to share data
Damien Welfare - Barrister, 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square
B:
Commercial contracts: how FOI Officers can win friends and influence contracts
Hazel Moffat - Partner, DLA Piper
Usha Jagessar - Legal Director, DLA
Piper
C:
Health
check: FOI issues in the NHS
Anne Crofts - Commercial Partner, Beachcroft LLP
Ros Ashcroft - Consultant, Public Law Team, Beachcroft LLP
D:
Can you
keep a secret? Confidentiality and FOI
Hazel Grant - Partner, Bird & Bird
E:
How to
deal with complex requests for information
Jackie Gray - Associate, Dickinson Dees LLP
F:
Information law issues in higher education
Richard Sykes - Associate Barrister, Mills & Reeve

"An
excellent conference, with first-rate speakers and a wealth of
useful information. The workshops on the second day were very
stimulating and afforded good networking opportunities. I am
looking forward to next year's event
Judy Watt
Information Manager, UK Transplant
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Keynote speaker: Graham Smith, The Deputy Information Commissioner,
ICO
Conference chair:
Hazel Moffat, DLA Piper
Registration:
9.00am
Conference starts: 9.30am
Conference venue:
Jurys Great Russell Street Hotel, 16-22 Great
Russell Street, London
WC1B 3NN, UK
Hotel telephone: +44 (0)20-7347 1000 |
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Our past Conference delegates say it best:
“Extremely informative”
James Newman
Senior Compliance Adviser, Transport for London
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“All speakers provided helpful insights into
FOIA pitfalls”
Simon Cosgrove
Senior Solicitor,
Maclay Murray & Spens
~
“Very useful to learn from other FOI Officers
that they are experiencing similar challenges to myself”
David Barlow
FOI Officer,
Appeals Service
~
“I don’t believe the Conference could be
improved”
Rick Chatfield
FOIA & EIR Case Manager,
Civil Aviation Authority
~
"This
is a very important topic for the private sector, and one that many
companies have not yet woken up to. The Conference and the Workshop
sessions were enlightening and practical, giving one a solid
grounding to both assess and address the risks in one's own
organisation"
John Burns -
Executive,
Association for Payment Clearing Services

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Conference Timetable
Registration:
9.00am
Conference presentations commencing:
9.30am
Completion:
5.00pm ~
There will be plenty of networking opportunities at each of the
breaks throughout the day and at the lunch. There will be a
further networking opportunity for delegates at a wine reception
from 5.00pm at the Conference venue, on the evening of the 22nd
April 2008.
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Wine and Canapés Reception, sponsored
and hosted by
DLA Piper
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