University College London

The complainant has requested email correspondence between a law firm and University College London (UCL) about an academic at UCL. UCL has disclosed some relevant information and has withheld the remainder under section 36 (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) and section 41 (information provided in confidence) of the FOIA.  UCL had originally considered section 42 (legal professional privilege) was engaged but withdrew its reliance on this exemption in the course of the Commissioner’s investigation. The Commissioner’s decision is as follows: The information UCL is withholding can be categorised as information provided in confidence and so can be withheld under section 41(1) of the FOIA.   The Commissioner does not require UCL to take any remedial steps.