PROTECTING PRIVACY –v- PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION: DATA PROTECTION & FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Wednesday 26 April 2017 at 5.15pm

The Scottish Public Law Group is delighted to announce an evening event, being held at Morton Fraser’s Edinburgh office, Quartermile Two, 2 Lister Square, Edinburgh, EH3 9GL on 26 April 2017.

This event is free and will attract 1.5 hours of CPD.  To register click here:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/protecting-privacy-v-public-access-to-information-data-protection-freedom-of-information-tickets-33230688885.

On a daily basis, public authorities must balance their obligations to protect the personal data and privacy of individuals together with their obligations to provide public access to information. Data protection compliance is of key importance to authorities, with reports of breaches rarely out of the news and preparations underway for forthcoming changes under the EU General Data Protection Regulation. Freedom of information has developed significantly in Scotland over the last 12 years since FOISA and the EIRs came into force and recently the European Court of Human Rights, in the case of Magyar v Hungary, considered whether Article 10 provides a right of access to information. Developments in both data protection and freedom of information law, raise questions and challenges for regulators, legal practitioners and public authorities.

Our panel of speakers for the evening will inform us about these issues from their different perspectives. The panel comprises:-

  • Rosemary Agnew, Scottish Information Commissioner –  Rosemary was appointed as Scottish Information Commissioner on 1 May 2012. In her last week as Commissioner, Rosemary will give some reflections on developments in FOI during her time in office.
  • Maureen Falconer, Regional Manager – Scotland, UK Information Commissioner – Maureen has worked in the UK Information Commissioner’s Scotland Office for the last 10 years, promoting data protection compliance and good practice. Maureen will reflect on the development of the ICO’s role in Scotland and upcoming changes.
  • David Johnston QC – David has a wealth of experience in public law practice, including a number of high profile cases dealing with data protection and freedom of information law. David will consider the implications in Scotland of the Magyar v Hungary judgment.

The event will be chaired by Fiona Killen, Partner, Anderson Strathern – Fiona heads up Anderson Strathern’s Parliamentary and Public Law Unit and has long-standing expertise in data protection and freedom of information law. She has acted for the Scottish Information Commissioner over the past 9 years, including advising on cases in the Court of Session and UK Supreme Court.

Registration is from 17:15. The talks will start at 17:45 and the evening will finish with a drinks reception and opportunity to network from 19:15 to 19:45.

 ALSO:  SAVE THE DATE – SPLG Annual Conference  – Monday, 19 June 2017 – Details to be announced shortly