Right to Access Information
Data and information are considered the most important raw materials in the modern world. Consequently, both the collection and the protection of information are key concerns that often conflict with one another.
The right of access to information—enshrined in the Freedom of Information Act (IFG), the Environmental Information Act (UIG), and the press and information laws of the federal states—grants companies, journalists, and citizens a legal right to access official information from government agencies and public authorities.
We support you in strategically and effectively exercising this right (information retrieval) or in protecting your data and information from unwanted disclosure (data protection).
Areas
- Enforcing the Right to Information: We draft precise requests for information to minimize grounds for denial (such as the protection of public interests) from the outset. If the agency refuses to provide the information or delays the process, we will consistently enforce your rights through the appeals process and by filing lawsuits in administrative courts.
- Defending Against Requests for Information: We also advise public authorities and state-controlled companies (which are often also subject to the Freedom of Information Act) on the legally compliant handling of complex requests for information in order to avoid liability risks and erroneous decisions regarding access to records (Defense Against Requests for Information).
- Legal Communication: Since access to legal information is often supported by targeted media relations, we also provide advice on legal communication throughout the course of proceedings.