Product Description

Examining the relationship between law, political culture and information control, this work combines a technical knowledge of English law, a detailed account of the history of political secrecy in Britain and an informed acquaintance with the shady detail of political and administrative practice. This new edition examines the effect of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Public Disclosures Act 1998, EU legislative developments on access to information and the Human Rights Act 1998, as well as the legislative and administrative changes introduced by the Labour Government.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #920090 in Books
• Published on: 2001-06-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 525 pages

Customer Reviews

Not exactly for students !
The thing is, Patrick Birkinshaw is obviously an extremely clever man who knows more than enough about Public Law and the history/future regarding freedom of information. However, he states at the beginning of his work that FOI is aimed at the student market. Yet, this is the worst book I have read as a student. The sentences are short and do not seem to link in any coherent pattern and repetition is rife. At worst this book is incomprehensible for the people it claims to help. Good for those who want loads of information packed in line after line, though.

Freedom of Information an authoritative and detailed account
This student focussed text is one of the most coherently presented and detailed accounts of the law relating to public access of government information and intelligence.

It is authoratively written, drawing upon a wide range of sources. Aimed at those studying on undergraduate and postgraduate taught law programmes, the text complements studies in the areas of Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and Law and Information.

Patrick Birkinshaw is an eminent and widely published professor, who has served as a specialist advisor to the government in this field.

Being lucky enough to have been taught by him, I can assert that his lively and vivid lecturing style translates well upon the page. An excellent buy for anyone with an interest in this field.

A detailed insight into the notion of freedom of information
This detailed and anaylitical account of the notion of freedom of information is well documented. It explores many aspects of this area comparing to other nations attitudes. It is particularly useful as an overall insight. As a law student I find this book particularly helpful.