Rosenthal

Plaintiff appeals from a denial by the trial court of his petition for a writ of mandate directing the defendants to furnish him copies of certain documents maintained by the Department of Human Resources Development.

Facts

Plaintiff is the executive director of the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County. This society operates a federally funded legal services program providing legal representation to poor persons in San Mateo County. A substantial part of the services provided by this Legal Aid Society is representation of claimants for unemployment insurance benefits.

Defendant Hansen was Director of the California Department of Human Resources Development, and defendant Bailey was the deputy director of the department in charge of Tax Collection and Insurance Payments Division. On January 19, 1972, plaintiff by letter requested that he be furnished copies of (a) the Benefit Determination Guide; (b) all other circulated papers, memos, manuals and documents whatever their title that are used to determine or aid in the determination of an applicant’s eligibility; and (c) the amendments, deletions, additions, supplements, updates and all other changes in these materials…