Legal fees for the Court of Session appeal against the Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

Information requested

1) The total cost of the inquiry led by James Hamilton into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code, along with a detailed breakdown of this total.

2) The total cost and breakdown of any expenses associated with the Scottish Government’s decision to appeal the ruling by the Information Commissioner regarding the handling of information gathered for this inquiry. 

Response

1) Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy. Expenditure of James Hamilton QC inquiry: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

2) In response to your second question, the net cost of external legal fees for the Court of Session appeal against the Scottish Information Commissioner was £73,024. This includes £27,470 paid to the Scottish Information Commissioner in judicial expenses.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.