Matthew Abraham ph.D. v. Arizona Board of Regents

Syllabus

1. What is the scope of the trial court's review in special actions challenging the denial of a public-records request on the basis of confidentiality, privacy, or the best interests of the state? 2. Did the court properly conclude that the plaintiff was entitled to no additional documents beyond those that it had already obtained via public-records requests from the University of Arizona? 3. Did the court properly dismiss and grant summary judgment on two counts that sought disclosure of documents that did not exist? 4. Did the court properly grant summary judgment on one count based on the statute of limitations, where the plaintiff had made successive requests for the same documents, only one of which was made within the limitations period? 5. Did the court properly deny the plaintiff's request for attorney fees under A.R.S. § 39-121.02(B) where the plaintiff was not successful in obtaining the disclosure of documents through the litigation, but had been successful in pre-litigation efforts?