| answer text |
<p>The Department has interpreted a “legal dispute” to be a claim brought in a tribunal
or court, either against or by the department. Spending on legal disputes can include
a range of costs, including fees for external representation before a court or supporting
the preparation of the litigation.</p><p>The Department does not keep a central record
of all of its spend on legal disputes and neither does it keep a record of such spending
by its associated agencies. Accordingly, the Department considers the disproportionate
cost threshold applies for the collection of this additional information.</p><p>However,
where the Department is represented by the Government Legal Department in legal proceedings
before most Courts and Tribunals in England and Wales, it does have a record of the
charges levied on it for those costs. These figures take into account:</p><p>(a) that
they are charges levied by the Government Legal Department for representing the Department
in legal disputes during the relevant periods whenever the legal dispute may have
arisen;</p><p>(b) That the charges can be subject to retrospective changes;</p><p>(c)
The figures are inclusive of Value Added Tax where this is payable;</p><p>(d) The
figures do not include sums awarded in costs against the Department or sums awarded
to the Department as a result of legal disputes.</p><p>2020 - £35,616,827</p><p>2021
- £37,286,712</p><p>2022 (for the period 1 January – 30 June) - £18,634,689</p>
|
|
