Overview of FOIA Litigation 1 Threshold Considerations Jurisdiction

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Overview of FOIA Litigation 1

Overview of FOIA Litigation 1

Threshold Considerations: Jurisdiction and Venue Ø Jurisdiction: U. S. District Courts Ø Improperly withheld

Threshold Considerations: Jurisdiction and Venue Ø Jurisdiction: U. S. District Courts Ø Improperly withheld agency records Ø De novo review 2

Threshold Considerations: Jurisdiction and Venue Ø Statute of limitations 3

Threshold Considerations: Jurisdiction and Venue Ø Statute of limitations 3

Threshold Considerations: Pleadings Ø Answer -- 30 days from service of Complaint Ø Only

Threshold Considerations: Pleadings Ø Answer -- 30 days from service of Complaint Ø Only federal agency proper party defendant 4

Threshold Considerations: Mootness Ø All documents released 5

Threshold Considerations: Mootness Ø All documents released 5

Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies ØRequired for judicial review Ø Constructive exhaustion Ø Failure to

Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies ØRequired for judicial review Ø Constructive exhaustion Ø Failure to pay fees Ø Impact mitigated by Open America 6

“Open America” Stay Ø Exceptional circumstances Ø Exercising due diligence 7

“Open America” Stay Ø Exceptional circumstances Ø Exercising due diligence 7

Summary Judgment: Threshold Requirements Ø Agency bears burden of proof to justify nondisclosure Ø

Summary Judgment: Threshold Requirements Ø Agency bears burden of proof to justify nondisclosure Ø Duty to segregate Ø Waiver of exemptions in litigation 8

Summary Judgment: Search Issues Adequacy of search • Good faith effort/methods reasonably expected to

Summary Judgment: Search Issues Adequacy of search • Good faith effort/methods reasonably expected to produce records requested • Proof by detailed, nonconclusory affidavit explaining scope/method of search 9

Summary Judgment: Vaughn Index Ø Itemized index correlating each withheld document/portion to specific FOIA

Summary Judgment: Vaughn Index Ø Itemized index correlating each withheld document/portion to specific FOIA exemption Ø When Vaughn index not needed 10

Summary Judgment: Vaughn Index Ø Generic explanations for 7(A) documents Ø Sampling Ø Coded

Summary Judgment: Vaughn Index Ø Generic explanations for 7(A) documents Ø Sampling Ø Coded index 11

In Camera Inspection of Records Ø Discretion of judge -- exception, not rule Ø

In Camera Inspection of Records Ø Discretion of judge -- exception, not rule Ø No access by requester’s counsel or experts Ø In camera affidavits 12

Discovery Ø Extremely limited Ø Can be premature Ø Interrogatories or requests for admissions

Discovery Ø Extremely limited Ø Can be premature Ø Interrogatories or requests for admissions vs. depositions 13

Attorneys Fees & Litigation Costs: Eligibility Ø Requester must “substantially prevail” Ø Relief through:

Attorneys Fees & Litigation Costs: Eligibility Ø Requester must “substantially prevail” Ø Relief through: • court order or enforceable agreement or consent decree or • voluntary change in agency’s position if complainant’s claim is not insubstantial 14

Attorneys Fees & Litigation Costs: Entitlement Ø Public benefit derived from case Ø Commercial

Attorneys Fees & Litigation Costs: Entitlement Ø Public benefit derived from case Ø Commercial benefit to complainant 15

Attorneys Fees & Litigation Costs: Entitlement Ø Nature of complainant’s interest in information Ø

Attorneys Fees & Litigation Costs: Entitlement Ø Nature of complainant’s interest in information Ø Whether withholding had reasonable basis in law 16

Questions? 17

Questions? 17

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