Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council

The complainant has requested information regarding legal advice obtained by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk (the “council”) in relation to a prospective judicial review. The proceedings in question were brought by the Hunstanton Pier Company and related to the council’s decision not to release it from certain obligations as tenant of the pier. The council withheld the information because it considered that disclosure would adversely affect the course of justice. The Commissioner’s decision is that the council failed to conduct a proper internal review of its handling of the request within the time for compliance but that it has correctly applied the course of justice exception to the requested information and that the public interest favours maintaining the exception. The Commissioner does not require the public authority to take any steps. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2012/0223 dismissed.