The following persons, all experts in their fields, will be speaking and taking questions at the 4th Annual Freedom of Information Conference.

Delegates will have an opportunity to network with speakers and delegates during the lunch break, coffee breaks and at the wine reception.

FOI in practice: breaking bad habits and rising to new challenges Graham Smith Deputy Information Commissioner, ICO

Presentation description:  In 2007 there were a number of significant Freedom of Information decisions by the Information Commissioner as well as the Information Tribunal.  Also, the Information Commissioner’s Office began to step up enforcement activities on those organisations not in compliance with FOI law. Graham Smith discusses what public authorities need to do to raise their game, and what the ICO is doing to encourage and support them.

Biography:  Graham Smith was appointed Deputy Information Commissioner in 2001, when the functions of the former Data Protection Commissioner were extended to cover freedom of information.  One of two Deputy Commissioners, Graham has lead responsibility for promoting and enforcing Freedom of Information law and managerial responsibility for the Information Commissioner’s offices in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

FOI requests used in court proceedings Andrew Lidbetter Partner, Herbert Smith LLP

Presentation description:  Those engaging in litigation with a public authority, particularly in judicial review proceedings, might see an FOI request as a way of obtaining material to assist their case.  Information Officers need to be aware of how their decisions on disclosure issues can affect the public authority’s position in the litigation.  In answering requests, Information Officers need to co-ordinate details to ensure that both the FOI request and the conduct of the litigation are dealt with properly.

Biography:  Andrew Lidbetter is a Solicitor Advocate Partner in the litigation division who has considerable experience of dealing with a wide range of disputes. He has a specialist public law practice including judicial review and professional regulation, and deals with FOI issues.  He is the author of the judicial review and human rights chapters in Blackstone’s Civil Practice and also a book on DTI investigations.

Information management: treating information as an asset Natalie Ceeney Chief Executive of The National Archives

Presentation description:  Organisations store information for a wide range of business and regulatory purposes.  It is a challenge to manage information in a way that people recognise its importance and value as an asset.  Natalie Ceeney discusses key concepts to equip information professionals to meet that challenge.

Biography:  Natalie Ceeney became Chief Executive of The National Archives in October 2005.  Under her leadership, The National Archives has developed an ambitious new Vision and Strategy which focuses on three major objectives: bringing history to life, guaranteeing the survival of today’s information for tomorrow, and leading and transforming Information Management in government. Before joining The National Archives, Natalie was Director of Operations and Services at the British Library, where her remit included the famous reading rooms as well as remote delivery services.  During her career, she has managed clinical services in the NHS, and has led strategic consultancy projects across a range of industries at McKinsey & Company.

Presentation description:  Now that FOI has been live for 3 years, the decisions by the Information Commissioner and the Information Tribunal are beginning to shape and define the legislation.  In this talk Marcus Turle reviews the important decisions of the last year and discusses the implications of those decisions on the day to day work of those dealing with FOI issues.

Biography:  Marcus Turle is a Partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse and is one of the founder members of the firm’s Privacy and Information Law Group.  He specialises in all aspects of the legal regulation of information, including freedom of information and data protection.  Marcus is the Editor of Freedom of Information journal and author of Sweet & Maxwell’s Freedom of Information Manual.  He also co-authored ( with Peter Carey ) the Law Society’s Freedom of Information Handbook.

Presentation description:  When an FOI requester is dissatisfied with the response he/she receive, there are different levels of review available, starting with an internal review by the organisation and ending in court proceedings.  This talk will cover practical advice on critical issues of which the FOI Officer should be aware in order to guide the organisation through these different levels of review.

Biography:  Benet Brandreth is a specialist Intellectual Property barrister who has worked extensively advising both private and government clients on data protection and freedom of information issues.  Benet is a member of the Treasury Counsel panel of barristers and has written on a number of areas of IP law and related fields.  In addition Benet is the Chairman of the Trustees of the Camden Citizens Advice Bureau and has experience as an applicant in freedom of information cases as well as being an adviser to those on the receiving end.

Presentation description:  The basics of answering FOI requests are understood by most FOI professionals, so now it is time to look at the more difficult issues that are raised.  Bernadette Livesey discusses guidance on those tricky issues that arise when handling FOI requests.

Biography:  Bernadette Livesey has been a Solicitor since 1984, and worked in local government until 2000 when she became the human rights solicitor at Walker Morris.  Working towards the introduction of the FOI Act, she rejoined local government in 2003 to experience the joys of implementation.  Bernadette is now the Chief Law and Administration Officer at Calderdale Council, and manages the Information Management Team there which deals with central FOI requests for Calderdale.

Special panel discussion:  managing the disclosure risk

Hazel Moffat - Partner, DLA Piper

Nick Graham - Partner, Denton Wilde Sapte LLP

Jan Willem van den Bos - Senior Associate, Denton Wilde Sapte LLP

Richard Smith - Departmental Freedom of Information & Data Protection Officer, Communities & Local Government

Public authorities may hold all manner of confidential and commercially sensitive information – information that they may have received as buyers of goods and services; through procurement and tender processes; in their role as industry regulators; or through the award of grants and other funding.  Anyone can ask for such information, including competitors and journalists.

The Panel will discuss the risks involved when public and private sector contract with one another / share information and the way in which those risks may be managed and mitigated.  Valuable insights will be given, both from a public and private sector point of view, on how information flows can be managed now and in the future.

Biography - Nick Graham is a Partner in the Technology, Media and Telecoms Group at Denton Wilde Sapte LLP and is head of the firm’s Information and Privacy Group.  He is an expert in data protection and freedom of information and advises a wide range of public and private sector bodies on FOIA compliance.  Nick also specialises in technology transactions, IT and business process outsourcing and off-shoring as well as IT law and e-commerce.  Nick was formerly in-house with Royal & Sun Alliance.

Biography - Jan Willem van den Bos is a Senior Associate in the Technology, Media and Telecoms Group at Denton Wilde Sapte LLP.  He advises public and private sector clients on communications and technology procurement projects and specialises in freedom of information and data privacy.  Jan Willem has in particular advised on FOIA compliance and requests for information in the context of major PFI and public sector procurement projects.

Biography - Richard Smith provides advice to Communities & Local Government as well as its Agencies and the Government Office network on handling of FOI and EIR requests.  He also liaises with other Departments in cases where requests are issued to a multiple Departments.  He advises on the Environmental Information Regulations, and contributed to DEFRA guidance on distinguishing between environmental and non-environmental information.

Conference Chairman Hazel Moffat Partner, DLA Piper

Biography:  Hazel Moffat is a Partner at DLA Piper and is a key member of the firm’s Information Law Group.  She specialises particularly in freedom of information, data protection, data sharing and privacy.  Hazel has worked with both public and private sector clients on all aspects of information law including central government departments on major data sharing projects, global financial institutions, parliamentary authorities and the UK Information Commissioner.  Hazel is a member of the Editorial Board of Freedom of Information journal.

Detailed information regarding FOI Workshops Series and Workshop Leader Biographies.