Architects Registration Board

The complainant requested information regarding the legal basis and justification for the Architects Registration Board’s (ARB) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) review process. The ARB disclosed information in scope of the request, but citied section 42(1) - legal professional privilege of FOIA to withhold information around legal advice sought. 
The Commissioner’s decision is that the ARB was entitled to rely on section 42(1) to withhold the specific information, and in the circumstances of this case the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. He also finds that on the balance of probability; the ARB has provided all the information it holds in scope of the request. However, he finds that the ARB breached section 17(1) when it failed to provide its public interest arguments in the initial refusal notice to the complainant.
The Commissioner does not require any steps as a result of this decision.