Link for IOC full Decision notice pdf file: Northern Ireland Policing Board (Police and criminal justice) [2025] UKICO 346580 (24 April 2025)
The complainant has requested information associated with the implications for the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) of a particular Court of Appeal judgement. NIPB disclosed some information and withheld the remainder under sections 36(2) and 40(2) of FOIA. These exemptions concern prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs and personal data, respectively. NIPB has subsequently advised that some of the withheld information can be disclosed due to the passage of time. It is continuing to withhold the remainder under section 36(2)(c), 40(2) and also section 42, which concerns legal professional privilege. The Commissioner's decision is as follows: NIPB is entitled to withhold some of the information the complainant has requested under sections 36(2)(c) and 42(1) of FOIA. The timeliness of NIPB's initial response to the request didn't comply with sections 1(1), 10(1) and 17(1). The Commissioner requires NIPB to take the following step to ensure compliance with the legislation: If it hasn't already done so, communicate to the complainant the information that it is no longer withholding under any exemption.