High Court information victory

24 November 2009

Our lawyers have won a landmark court case on behalf of waste campaigning hero Shlomo Dowen.

Freedom of Information

Corporate waste giant Veolia had taken Shlomo and his local Council to Court. They didn't want the Council to show him their £850 million waste management contract. 

Shlomo had used freedom of information laws to request access to the information.

Our lawyers acted for Shlomo in an urgent two day hearing last month. 

Setting a precendent

The High Court ruled in our favour, throwing out Veolia's case and ordering the Council to give the information to Shlomo.

The case sets an important precedent for local councils and for people who want to know how their money is spent.

It will have a big impact on other councils that have been waiting for this judgment to find out whether they have to release similar information.    

I found myself at the wrong end of a court injunction brought by a major multi-national.  Friends of the Earth's Rights and Justice Centre lawyers were there to make sure that my rights were not abused and that justice was done.

Shlomo Dowen, local campaigner

Working with local campaigners

Shlomo is the co-ordinator of UK Without Incineration Network, which has been working closely with Friends of the Earth Rights and Justice Centre.

Shlomo attended Friends of the Earth's Power Up 2009. This is a weekend of workshops and networking that empowers people to make a difference where they live.

Watch this space for news of Power Up 2010!