Costs associated with Supreme Court ruling: FOI release

Information requested

I still would like to request full disclosure of all Scottish Government costs associated with their legal case taken to the Supreme Court regarding the equalities act.

For lack of dubiety all costs include
Legal Fees paid
Cost of officials time dealing with case
Any other associated costs such as travel costs etc.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested.

The Scottish Government has not created a compilation of other (non-legal) costs associated with work related to the Supreme Court such as; staff costs, other policy development costs, public communication or campaign costs, travel costs, hotel accommodation costs, etc. As such, I hereby provide you with formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

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.

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.