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05
Jan 2021
Harrogate council U-turn reveals Flaxby legal costs
Harrogate Borough Council has confirmed it spent £57,360 on legal fees for the Flaxby judicial review, after initially refusing to reveal the figure.
The Stray Ferret sent the council a request under the Freedom of Information Act asking how much it had spent on the case, which was heard at the High Court in London in October.
But the council said the information was exempt from disclosure because its lawyers’ legal fees should remain private.
We requested an internal review of this decision. Joanne Barclay, acting chief solicitor for corporate services, has now overturned the council's decision not to disclose and revealed the fee it paid.
Read more:
- Harrogate council refuses to reveal High Court legal costs
- Flaxby fails to stop Green Hammerton development at High Court
She wrote:
During October's judicial review, the judge, Mr Justice Holgate, rejected a request by the council to be spared costs. He also ruled the council should pay 15% of Flaxby's costs.
A spokesperson for Flaxby previously told the Stray Ferret 15% would amount to a "significant five-figure sum".
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