Download our handy PPT presentation here The ONB legal challenge to Lincolnshire County
Council (2005)
Orchard News Bureau took Lincolnshire
County Council to the High Court after the authority withheld financial records
from public inspection.
The council censored
invoices and related documents relating to its 2003/2004 accounts, and claimed
it was entitled to do so under data protection rules.
The council attempted
to argue that information contained in the accounts could not be disclosed without
the permission of
contractors and consultants.
But Mr (now Lord) Justice Leveson ruled that the council had no
legal justification to use the data protection act to censor the
accounts.
He told the council
that ONB and others were entitled to view
the records during the statutory public inspection period.
He also put
the authority on notice that any future attempt to withhold financial records
using either the data protection act, or the human rights act, would trigger a
judicial review hearing.
The council released
the censored accounts.
For further guidance, contact ONB.
Key
Court Rulings
The Veolia and Nottinghamshire County Council court
cases (2009/10)
