The Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations 
have now been in force for some time and we are just beginning to see how 
they operate together. Decisions of the Commissioner and the Tribunal are 
informing practice and resolving ambiguities within the regimes.

Recent events have served to raise awareness of the Data Protection Act in 
the minds of the public, and it is now even more crucial that all 
organisations understand their obligations under these often conflicting 
and complex regimes. This conference will explore the challenges which face 
all organisations, both public and private sector, as the need for real 
information and records management comes to the forefront of policy 
development.

With its first Information Rights conference in May 2006, the launch of its 
Masters Programme in Information Rights Law and Practice, and the 
appointment of two of today’s speakers, Richard Thomas and Timothy Pitt-
Payne, as visiting professors, Northumbria University has already taken 
steps to address the challenges of interpreting and applying the law. In 
practice, however, an information rights culture brings many more issues to 
be dealt with, including ensuring information is managed effectively and 
held securely, responding to and refusing information requests, and making 
requests for information. With a view to addressing the key current 
challenges facing practitioners, Northumbria University is hosting its 
second Information Rights Conference, appropriately entitled “Meeting New 
Challenges”. 

This conference provides an opportunity for delegates to hear the views of 
the Information Commissioner, and other prestigious speakers from the 
Information Tribunal, the National Archive, the legal profession, and the 
Campaign for Freedom of Information on challenges facing professionals in 
this field. Time has been set aside in the programme for speakers  to 
participate in panel sessions to share their practical experiences and to 
provide an exchange for practitioners within the Information Rights field.

This conference will take place at the Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel
Newcastle upon Tyne on Thursday 1 May 2008.  Registration and coffee are 
provided from 9.00am with the programme commencing at 9.15am.  The day 
concludes at 4.45pm

Fees: The price of the conference is £250 per delegate A discounted rate of 
£200 is also available for three or more delegates from the same company, 
academics, charities, and NGO’s. These discounts cannot be linked with any 
other offer. The price includes all conference sessions, lunch and 
refreshments as advertised and full course materials.

If you wish to book a place at the conference please contact the conference 
administrator Maureen Cooke:

By Fax: 0191 243 7506
By Phone: 0191 243 7597
By E-mail: [log in to unmask]