Legal Committee - 6 November 2025

The formal minute of the public items of business will be available at the meeting scheduled for 12 March 2026. 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 – 6 November 2025

MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS
• Legal Services Claims Handling - Quarterly Statistical Information Report - Trends & Analysis in litigation (Q2)
• Litigation Overview
• Litigation – Finance Update
• Settlement of Legal Claim
• Public Inquiries Update
• Police Appeals Tribunals

KEY ISSUES RAISED

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

Members welcomed a further refined report and have requested that future reports provide a quarterly breakdown of claims to assist with the understanding of trends, actions taken and whether an intended difference was being made. Members welcomed the introduction of a new Employee Relations Organisational Learning Review Group, set up to consider organisational learning arising from ETs, grievances etc. Members have requested to understand more about this group, how issues previously identified by the committee are being captured and how the learning is being applied in practice.

Members highlighted concerns around vehicle claims and were assured that the figures presented are anticipated and were further assured that there was a firm grip around driver training, with no concerns around operational delivery to divisions and local policing around the availability of courses. Members were advised that Police Scotland have not yet seen the benefit of Body Worn Video (BWV) on claims or officer assaults, however, it is hope that benefit will come through as the roll out becomes wider.

Litigation Overview
Members were provided with a report which detailed significant ongoing litigation involving the SPA and Police Scotland.
Litigation – Finance Update
Members welcomed a high-level overview of legal liabilities and legal costs for the current financial year.

Public Inquiries Update

Members welcomed a report providing an update in relation to live Public and Fatal Accident Inquiries currently being serviced by Police Scotland Public and Fatal Accident Inquiry Unit along with detail on how lessons are captured and cascaded through its Organisational Learning Framework. Members had a detailed discussion in relation to resourcing implications and the impact of ongoing and future spend on operational policing. They requested that a further detailed update be provided to a future meeting.
Settlement of Legal Claim

The committee carefully considered and took a decision in relation to an ongoing legal claim.

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. Members have requested to understand what learning Police Scotland have taken from the outcome of recent appeals.

CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

Members AGREED the need for the number of claims payments 22/23 - 24/25 chart to be updated on a quarterly basis. This will assist members with a clear understanding on trends, actions taken and whether an intended difference was being made.

Members AGREED the need for more information in relation to the Employee Relations Organisational Learning Review Group. This will assist in the understand of how previous Legal Committees issues are captured and how the learning is being applied in practice.