My request – would you kindly provide me all legal costs relating to Devon County Council -v- white Design and in the matter of the Darlington School design. Would you also include copy of your Councils legal advice and skeleton argument?
In relation to legal costs relating to the litigation and the Dartington School design we can confirm that you have already been provided with this information. For the purposes of advice and assistance we are happy to confirm again that the total costs were £918,022.98.
The council’s legal advice and skeleton argument which were drafted for the purposes for the litigation are subject to legal professional privilege and litigation privilege. Disclosure of this information is therefore exempt from disclosure pursuant to s. 42 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Whilst the council appreciate the need for openness, it is not in the public interest to waive legal professional privilege and disclose confidential legal advice. This would restrict the council’s ability to conduct litigation in future.