Legal cost of Supreme Court Case: FOI release

Information requested

Could you provide the full costs of the Scottish Government in fighting the court case against For Women Scotland in each of the three court cases at the Court of Session and at the Supreme Court, with a breakdown of these costs?

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested in the format you have asked for.

The table below sets out the figures for case 'For Women Scotland - petition for judicial review'. This case was heard by both the Outer House Court of Session and Inner House Court of Session.

For Women Scotland - Petition for Judicial Review
Counsel Fees	£61,930.50
Court Fees	£4,898.00
Other	£149,354.00
Total	£216,182.50

The table below sets out the figures for case 'For Women Scotland - Petition for Judicial Review: Petition 2'. This case was heard by both the Outer House Court of Session, Inner House Court of Session and the Supreme Court.

For Women Scotland - Petition for Judicial Review: Petition 2
Counsel Fees	£148,925.00
Court Fees	£7,552.00
Other	£1,339.30
Total	£157,816.30

Final costs in relation to the case are still being determined and are not yet available. We will publish the total cost of the case when it is fully complete.

In regards to the second half of your email: "Is a person with a full gender recognition certificate (“GRC”) which recognises that their gender is female, a “woman” for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 (“EA 2010”)? We understood this statement to be added as a reference to the court case, and not a separate question. If this is incorrect, please let us know.

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.