Back to index Original on gov.scot

FOI/202500483660 · FOI · unclear

Scottish Government legal fees contesting Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

Published
2025-12-10
Received
2025-09-08
Responded
2025-09-30
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector
Exemptions
None detected

Information requested

How much has the Scottish Government spent on defending itself against the Scottish Information Commissioner over the last five years, with a breakdown per year and what the money was spent on?

Response

We have interpreted your request for costs spent on 'defending itself against the Scottish Information Commissioner' to cover legal costs incurred in court proceedings. The table below provides a breakdown of costs incurred by financial year. The amounts presented comprise court fees, counsel’s fees and judicial expenses paid to the Scottish Information Commissioner.

Financial Year Case Name Amount 2020-2021 Scottish Ministers v Scottish Information Commissioner & James W Hunter (XA70/20) £9,077.67 2021-2022 £0.00 2022-2023 £0.00 2023-2024 Scottish Ministers v Scottish Information Commissioner & Benjamin Harrop (XA10/23) - Costs incurred over two financial years £35,370.00 2024-2025 Scottish Ministers v Scottish Information Commissioner & Benjamin Harrop (XA10/23) - Costs incurred over two financial years £35,394.00 2025-2026 Scottish Ministers v Scottish Information Commissioner & Benjamin Harrop (XA29/25) £8,518.00 Total £88,359.67

To note; this year, similar information to the above table has been published by the Scottish Government on our website and is accessible through the following links:

Cumulative costs of Scottish Government legal fees from 2020

External legal fees for Court of Session appeal XA10/23

Scottish Government legal fees contesting Scottish Information Commissioner

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.

Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG

Attachments

No attachments found.

Similar releases