Legal Committee

The formal minute of the public items of business will be available at the meeting scheduled for 13 May 2025. This will also be published on the SPA’s website. A full recording of the public items of business taken at this meeting can be accessed at Legal Committee – 11 March 2025

MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS

• Legal Services Claims Handling - Quarterly Statistical Information Report - Trends & Analysis in litigation
• Committee Effectiveness
• Litigation Overview/ Litigation – Finance Update
• Operation Tarn – Finance Update
• Settlement of Contractual Dispute
• Police Appeals Tribunals

KEY ISSUES RAISED

Legal Services Claims Handling - Quarterly Statistical Information Report - Trends & Analysis in litigation

In addition to the regular report, members were provided with a visual of
additional information (such as the number and nature of files opened by
Police Scotland Legal Services) that could be included within the quarterly
statistical report at the next committee meeting onwards.

Members have asked that Police Scotland also included the following:

• narrative explaining the content of tables/run charts and any themes or trends e.g. comparisons between current year statistics and figures for previous years
• a breakdown of the different types of claims in the employer liability and public liability categories, so that e.g. employer liability claims are clearly divided into Employment Tribunal claims and “accidents at work” claims
• tables/charts to allow members to understand any trends
• details of any learning from settled cases.

Committee Effectiveness

Members were provided with a report which noted the findings of a recent survey conducted with Board Members and stakeholders, seeking their feedback on the overall effectiveness of the committee. The report sought to inform overall evaluation of the committee’s effectiveness during 2024/25, and subsequent assurance report to the Audit Risk and Assurance Committee in May 2025.

Committee Work Plan

Members have requested that a finance update and legal data update are reflected on the work plan to assist with committee preparation and agenda planning going forward.

Litigation Overview

Members were provided with a report which detailed significant ongoing litigation involving the SPA and Police Scotland.

Litigation – Finance Update

Members now welcome Police Scotland finance representation at Legal Committee meetings and were provided with a high-level overview of legal liabilities and legal costs for the current financial year.

Operation Tarn – Finance Update

Members welcomed a report providing an overview on the expenditure for Operation Tarn providing an understanding of all legal expenses and liabilities for Police Scotland.

Settlement of Contractual Dispute

Members considered a report and took a decision in relation to an ongoing Contractual Dispute.

Police Appeals Tribunals

Members were provided with an update on the current position in relation to various appeals to Police Appeals Tribunals which are presently ongoing.

CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

• Members AGREED that future Claims Handling – Statistical Reports include the following:

• narrative explaining the content of tables/run charts and any themes or trends e.g. comparisons between current year statistics and figures for previous years
• a breakdown of the different types of claims in the employer liability and public liability categories, so that e.g. employer liability claims are clearly divided into Employment Tribunal claims and “accidents at work” claims
• tables/charts to allow members to understand any trends
• details of any learning from settled cases.

• Members AGREED that the committee chair, will sign the Committee Assurance Certificate, confirming that the committee has fulfilled its obligations.

• Members AGREED that finance updates and legal data updates are reflected on the work plan to assist with committee preparation and agenda planning.