For Women Scotland versus Scottish Government legal case costs: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for the legal costs associated with the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers case.

• How much the Scottish Government spent on legal costs in the first judicial review in the Outer House of the Court of Session in 2022.
• How much the Scottish government spent on legal costs in the appeal that went before the Inner House of the Court of Session in November 2023.
• How much the Scottish Government spent on legal costs in the most recent Supreme Court appeal.
• Where the funds to cover these costs came from over the years (what part of the budget funded these legal fees)? I’d like this to be broken down by year and/or case, please.

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.

All of the costs stated above were charged to the cost centre for Directorate for Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights.

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