It might seem to have gone quiet but that is because we have been preparing for the Information Tribunal hearing, next Monday Jan 25th.
This is the result of the LLDC appealing the decision of the Information Commissioner that they should publish the entire contract with redaction.
The Tribunal is a kind of court, the panel of three consists of a QC and two lay people. The case is the LLDC (Appellant) versus the ICO, and me as the Second Party. I am allowed to participate because I asked the original FOI question. However I am not allowed to co-operate with the ICO. Worse, the LLDC successfully argued that I should not be able to see all the evidence they will present because it includes some of the information we seek to make public. The ICO does get to see it, however.
I've been assured by friends in the FOI sphere that the Tribunals do go out of their way to be fair. Nevertheless I have not been leaving anything to chance. The LLDC have of course hired a shit-hot specialist lawyer (paid for by
you, of course)while the ICO rely on their regular salaried solicitor. That said, the ICO apparently win 71% of cases at this stage and they may feel they don't themselves need to waste taxpayers' money defending this one.
The LLDC have been up to their tricks, submitting evidence after deadlines (they were at it even this afternoon, but I was able to respond immediately), and pleading time because of illness etc.
However we have a solid case. I've been admirably assisted in preparation of it by
@Dippenhall, but otherwise nobody else from the Trust has been distracted by this. Instead I have enjoyed the backing of the Coalition and its formidable media machine. Right after the Tribunal ends we will present the media with new evidence items, including one that blows out of the water Sullivan's claim that "they can rent it for 340 more days because we only need it for 25".
The Tribunal will not make a decision on the day, they expect it will take at least two weeks, but it is open to the public and media
All proper Charlton welcome. You might meet Gavros. But probably not the Baroness. West Ham refused to field a witness. Maybe someone would like to tweet. I won't be able to.
Venue details
I can now confirm that the hearing will take place on 25th January 2016 at 10.00am. It will be held at Field House, 15 Bream's Buildings, London, EC4A 1DZ. The Tribunal office has been told that Court 7 has been booked, but you should check with reception on the day in case that is changed.
Comments
Would have been nice to be there, but already committed further along in West End that morning. You're only a couple of minutes walk from Mishcon (rear of office is on Lincoln's Inn). Did they ever continue their involvement?
Fingers crossed for the decision we all are hoping for.
Don't wear the mustard gilet though
Very well done. I will try to come along. Any idea how long it will be?
Will not be till a bit later though.
Why, what's on?
Good luck on the day will be waiting to hear the outcome.