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Written question asked by Kenny MacAskill (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 25 January 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 28 January 2021 (named day). It was answered by Michael Ellis (Conservative) on Thursday, 28 January 2021 on behalf of the Attorney General.

Prorogation: Legal Costs

Question

To ask the Attorney General, what the cost to the public purse was of the Government defending cases in the Scottish courts relating to the prorogation of Parliament in 2019.

Answer

The Government defended a petition for Judicial Review in relation to the prorogation of Parliament in 2019 raised by Joanna Cherry QC MP and others in (1) the Outer House in the Court of Session, (2) the Inner House of the Court of Session, and (3) the Supreme Court, where it was joined with R (on the application of Miller) (Appellant) v The Prime Minister (Respondent).

The Office of the Advocate General and Government Legal Department have determined that the total costs of defending this litigation were £127,062.33 (net of VAT). This figure includes Counsel fees, Government Legal Department litigator costs and court dues. The Government also incurred £30,000 in adverse costs.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
143130
Session
2019-21
Related items
Prorogation: Legal Costs
Monday, 8 February 2021
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Legal costs Scotland Prorogation
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk