Damien Welfare is a barrister at Cornerstone Barristers, who specialises in Information Law. His practice covers advice and representation on complex Data Protection, Freedom of Information (‘FOI’) and Environmental Information Regulations (‘EIR’) matters. He also provides well-received training seminars for Data Protection Officers, FOI or Information Officers, and lawyers in these fields. Damien came to the Bar in 2001, following a career in local government, and became involved in Information Law from the inception of the FOI and EIR regimes in 2005. Both the seminars, in which he emphasises a practical approach, and his previous experience in the public sector, have informed the book, and the many examples within it. He has a particular interest in the EIR, which he considers have been over-shadowed by the FOI regime despite their importance. Recently, he has focused on the interpretation of the Data Protection Act 2018, and on the proposed future regime for data protection in the UK after Brexit.
Although there have been commentaries on the subject over the years, comprehensive practical guides covering all aspects of this branch of the law have been scarce on the ground. This book fills the gap admirably...This is a book which no one who has serious responsibilities for information handling can afford to ignore. * The Commonwealth Lawyer *