Access to Information & Freedom of Information Appeals
It may seem odd that an immigration lawyer also practises information and privacy law.
However, I first became involved in ATIP/FOIA requests through my work as an immigration lawyer, when I began filing hundreds of ATIP requests a year on behalf of clients. I would then represent them before the Information and Privacy Commissioners when government departments performed incomplete searches, withheld and redacted relevant records, or failed to produce the records on time.
Since then I’ve expanded to providing legal advice to journalists, academic researchers and other lawyers who want to challenge the handling of the information request by the government. I’ve also appeared as an expert witness before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information to testify regarding the failures of the access to information regime.
Koltun Law recognizes the limited financial resources available to clients in these David versus Goliath challenges, and I offer flat-rate fee packages to accommodate your financial capabilities.
Complaints to Information and Privacy Commissioners
The improper handling of your information request by a government department can be challenged through a complaint and investigation to the relevant Information Commissioner or Privacy Commissioner. This includes the failure to produce records, incomplete searches, and unjustified use of exemptions/exclusions to not disclose information to you.
Koltun Law can provide legal representation for you before the Commissioner to explain why your complaint should be upheld and the records properly released to you.
(Flat-Rate Legal fees starting at $3,000)
Appeals and Judicial Reviews
If an Information Commissioner or Privacy Commissioner did not uphold your complaint regarding the mishandling of your information request, you may be able to appeal or judicially review the decision in court.
Koltun Law can provide legal representation for you before the court to explain why you are entitled to have the records you requested released to you.
(Flat-Rate Legal fees starting at $4,000)