Supreme Court of the United States
Milner v. Department of the Navy
March 7, 2011562 U.S. 562
Summary
The Court held that FOIA Exemption 2 protects only records related to employee relations and human resources, rejecting the broader 'High 2' interpretation that shielded internal rules risking circumvention of agency regulations. Justice Kagan delivered the opinion, reversing the Ninth Circuit. Justice Breyer dissented, arguing for stare decisis, and Justice Alito concurred, noting Exemption 7(F) alternatives.
Holding
- Scope of Exemption 2. Exemption 2 covers only records relating to employee relations and human resources ('personnel rules and practices').
Docket 09-1163
Cited authorities
- CA10
- CA10
- 5 U.S.C. § 552
- 5 U.S.C. §1002
- 5 U.S.C. § 1002
- 100 Stat. 3207
- 5 U.S.C. § 1002
- 75 FR 711