Court Rules on FOIA Litigation Timing Issues

The Government has been scolded by United States District Judge Paul L. Friedman of the District of Columbia for attempting to shift the burden on withheld documents to the requester and proposing an unduly long briefing schedule.  

While many FOIA requesters will work with agencies to lessen their burden on justifying withheld information, it is always important to remember that it is the agencies burden and if they aren't going to release the information they must fully explain why it being withheld.  This opinion is a clear example of that.