Opinion ID: 1936728
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Procedures on Remand

Text: In this case, as in Soucie v. David, supra , We think it proper for the [trial judge] to examine in camera the individual papers which are alleged to be privileged, and direct exclusions or excisions in a manner deemed lawful and appropriate, keeping in mind the issues of the case, the nature and importance of the interests supporting the claim of privilege, and the fundamental policy of free societies that justice is usually promoted by disclosure rather than secrecy. 145 U.S.App.D.C. at 156 n. 50, 448 F.2d at 1079 n. 50. The court should determine with respect to each document or class of documents furnished by each enterprise, whether MBOC or intervenors have established, through the affidavits filed in support of the motion and any reasonable inferences that may be drawn therefrom, that a specific exemption applies. The court should also consider and resolve the question of reasonable segregability with respect to each document or class of documents. In general, findings of fact are not required where a court grants summary judgment. See Super.Ct.Civ.R. 56. Indeed, that remedy is available only when there is no material issue of fact. We are also reluctant to require procedures in FOIA cases which differ from those in other litigation. Nevertheless, given the complexity and sensitivity of the issues here presented, we agree with the court in Founding Church of Scientology v. Bell, 195 U.S.App.D.C. 363, 368, 603 F.2d 945, 950 (1973) that the trial judge must make a careful de novo review of the agency's determinations and must provide a decision which is sufficiently detailed to establish that this review has in fact taken place. Appellate courts are ill-equipped to conduct their own investigation into the validity of specific claims of exemption, and the trial judge should therefore articulate the precise relationship between each such claim and the contents of specific documents held to be exempt. Van Bourg, Allen, Weinberg & Roger v. N.L.R.B., 656 F.2d 1356, 1358 (9th Cir.1981). [8] Since a remand is required, we do not decide at this time, but refer to the trial court for initial determination, a legal issue on which the parties disagree, namely, whether the District's FOIA, like its federal counterpart, permits the court to consider MBOC's contention [9] that disclosure of the materials in question would make it difficult for the District to obtain information from minority enterprises in the future, and would thus inhibit the success of the sheltered market program. Compare Greenberg v. Food & Drug Administration, 256 U.S.App.D.C. 135, 138, 803 F.2d 1213, 1216 (1986) with Belth v. District of Columbia Dept. of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, 115 Daily Wash.L.Rptr. 2281 (Super.Ct.D.C.1987) (Kessler, J.). In light of our remand with respect to the judge's order sustaining appellee's claims of exemption under § 1-1524(a)(1) on the basis of potential competitive injury, we also direct the trial judge to elaborate on her findings with respect to the other claimed exemptions. [10] We further leave to the trial judge's initial determination the extent, if any, to which affidavits by officers of the intervening enterprises which describe potential competitive injury to them may be used to protect materials supplied by other applicants for participation in the sheltered market.