Data Protection, Privacy, Freedom of Information
-
Data Protection Act 1998
- Freedom of Information Act 2000
came into force on 1st January 2005.
- The Privacy and Electronic Communications
(EC directive) Regulations 2003 governs telphone marketing, email, SMS,
MMS and any future types of electronic communication. This broadly requires consent from the recipient
before unsolicited emails can be sent ("opt in" consent rather than "opt out" consent).
- Information Commissioner's Office (ICO),
previously the Data Protection Commissioner continues to enforce the Data Protection Act 1998,
and is now also responsible for Freedom of Information.
The site provides information on Principles of Data Protection, Guidance Notes,
and other publications. You can search the "register of data controllers".
- Freedom of Information Resources
from the Directgov site.
- DPA Law (Data Protection Act Law) is the website of the Privacy and Information
Law Group at European Law firm
Field Fisher Waterhouse.
This site contains a great deal of free information about data protection, privacy and confidentiality law, including:
* The A-Z of data protection and privacy, a glossary of key words and phrases in data protection law with links to relevant resources.
* Links to core European data protection and privacy laws, including legislation and court cases.
* Links to worldwide regulatory bodies and public authorities that have responsibilities for data protection and privacy.
* Articles, briefing notes and legal analysis written by lawyers at the firm.
- Privacy Laws & Business is a private body
providing consultancy, newsletters, courses and conferences on this topic. There is
a particularly good set of international data protection links on the site.
- PDP is the publisher of leading expert journals in the field of compliance. They publish Privacy & Data Protection journal and Freedom of Information journal, each of which contains
articles contributed by the leading experts in the field as well as news items and editorials.
- Act Now Training is a company run by Ibrahim Hasan and Paul Simpkins specialising in
all aspects of data protection, Freedom of Information and surveillance law (RIPA and RIPSA). The website includes free webcasts and podcasts
on these topics which are eligible for CPD credits from the SRA and ILEX. There is also a Twitter feed to keep you up to date with the
latest information law news.
- Information Law is a blog run by Ibrahim Hasan covering
data protection, freedom of Information and surveillance law (RIPA and RIPSA). There are also a number of free articles to download on these topics.
- DataGuidance is a new web resource designed to assist lawyers and companies
to understand data protection principles, as they apply in real life, in UK, Europe and (over a period of time)
the world as a whole. The resource has been created by Cecile Park Publishing Ltd, led by Lindsey Greig.
It brings together
all the legislation, official guidance and codes of practice as well as
Data Guidance Notes, written by data protection experts on key issues such as data transfer, e-mail marketing,
employee monitoring and data breaches. This is a subscription resource but it can be purchased in short access periods.
The company is very willing to provide a telephone-assisted free trial, on request.
- Amberhawk Training run by Dr Chris Pounder and Sue Cullen, comprised formerly the
information law training business of law firm Pinsent Masons LLP. They are
the longest-established training team dedicated to information law and
developed the earliest accredited training courses for the ISEB
qualifications in data protection and freedom of information. Their
expertise also covers RIPA, Human Rights, Lawful Business Practice
Regulations, Re-use of Public Sector Information, PECR, direct marketing
rules and other aspects of information law, including information assurance
and security. Their topical Blog
Hawktalk, covers Data Protection and FOI issues.
- 5RB (5 Raymond Buildings) is a leading set of barristers specialising
in all areas of media and entertainment law, defamation and freedom of expression.
There are over 300 case reports on the site covering areas including
Privacy, Data Protection and Freedom of Information. The case reports include very recent ones and in many cases,
copies of the judgments are appended. You can also register on the site for email briefings with monthly round-ups
of key issues and new cases covered on the site.
- Freedom of Information Act is a blog which provides
news and developments on Freedom of Information in the UK. The blog is run by the Campaign for Freedom of Information.
It was established in May 2003 by Steve Wood, who ran it until the end of February 2007 when he took up the post of Assistant Commissioner at
the Information Commissioner's Office.
Media and Defamation
- David Price Solicitors & Advocates - London,
are experts in media law and they provide a Guide to Media Law covering Defamation,
Breach of confidence and privacy, Malicious falsehood, Contempt of court and Copyright.
They provide a newsletter on the site (or you an sign up to receive it by email)
containing reports and comment on media law. They aim to cover all cases in the High Court
and Court of Appeal as well as decisions of the European Court of Human Rights on freedom
of expression and relevant adjudications of the Press Complaints Commission and the
Broadcasting Standards Commission.
- One Brick Court
are recognised as leaders in the fields of defamation, privacy and the law as it affects
freedom of expression and the publication of false, damaging and intrusive information.
There is an extensive Media Law Update on the site, with reports of the latest cases and also
articles written by members of chambers.
- 5RB (5 Raymond Buildings) is a leading set of barristers specialising
in all areas of media and entertainment law, defamation and freedom of expression.
Most of the leading cases in recent times have
involved members of Chambers. There are over 300 case reports on the site including cases in this area.
The case reports include very recent ones and in many cases,
copies of the judgments are appended.
You can also register on the site for email briefings with monthly round-ups
of key issues and new cases covered on the site.
- Inforrm stands for the International Forum for Responsible Media which
has been set up to debate issues of media responsibility. They say
"We believe in an independent, strong, free and responsible mass media. The media has important privileges in the
public interest to enable it to perform its role as a public watchdog. But with those privileges go responsibilities.
The media’s right to freedom of expression must be properly balanced against the rights to privacy and reputation".
There are frequent postings on topics of the media, privacy and the law.
Discrimination and Disability
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission
is the statutory body set up to protect, enforce and promote equality across the seven "protected"
grounds - age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation and gender reassignment.
- Disability is a section
on the Government's Direct Gov site, providing information on the legal situation, policy, programmes and links to other bodies.
- rehabwindow lists providers of disability
and rehabilitation related services and products. There is a good set of links to
bodies working in this area.
- Deaf Lawyers UK covers issues relating to
Deaf lawyers, as well as Deaf issues within the legal system. The website was set up by a group of Deaf
solicitors, barristers, law students and people trying to qualify as lawyers. It aims to respond to access
issues, publicise specialised information and raise awareness of issues Deaf people face within the legal system.
The site includes a
Deaf Blawg. This is updated frequently
and includes contributions from a number of people. Prime topics appearing so far are immigration, citizenship and asylum,
and special problems for deaf people in these contexts, covered generally, but not entirely, from a legal point of view.
- Employment Tribunal Claims: tactics and precedents is a blog
from barrister Naomi Cunningham to update and supplement her recently published book of the same name.
The site also contains links to all the statutory discrimination questionnaires in particular, Disability, Equal Pay,
Orientation, Race, Religion or Belief and Sex, which can otherwise be quite hard to track down.
- The Incorporated Council of Law Reporting provide
"Industrial Cases Reports Express". This gives previews of the Industrial Cases
Reports before they are available in printed form. The Express service takes the form of summaries
giving the ratio of the decision and these will be updated as soon as headnotes become available. The reports
cover employment law, discrimination, competition and associated topics.
- Disability Discrimination is a new website related to
a book written by Richard Oulton and Spencer Keen on disability discrimination. It covers legislation and recent
case law related to this topic.
- Judicial Review is the topic covered by London-based solicitors
Pierce Glynn who specialise in
public law, discrimination law and human rights. They work with campaign groups and advice agencies, as well
as individuals, particularly relating to judicial reviews. They have set up a resource
on their site relating to judicial review including case studies on Post Office closures, access to healthcare,
playground redevelopmentand the Hounslow Language Service. There are also two guides: one explaining when judicial
review may be relevant, and the other providing an overview of judicial review procedure.
(see also under Employment Law, below)
