Legal Committee

MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS

• Legal Services Claims Handling - Quarterly Statistical Information Report - Trends & Analysis in litigation
• Litigation Overview
• Litigation – Finance Update
• Operation Tarn – Finance Update
• Police Appeals Tribunals

KEY ISSUES RAISED

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

Members were provided with overview on settlement figures arising from claims raised against Police Scotland. Following recent requests from members in terms of report detail and work currently being undertaken by Police Scotland Legal Services, the report presented had and will continue to be developed from previous iterations. Members were assured that the increase in motor liabilities is a financial increase due to supply chain issues resulting in longer car rentals in place, increases in parts and labour along with energy payments now being added as sub charges. Members were assured that the number of settlements in this area had reduced.

Members have asked that future end of year reports summarise key learning themes being captured and taken forward by Police Scotland and other organisations involved. In addition, the committee discussed that although learning can be a focus for high value claims, there is a need to consider learning from lower value claims. Police Scotland have agreed to progress discussions in this area with the look to potentially capturing learning within future reports.

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 and have been clear on the need to understand what measures are being taken in terms of best value around litigation costs.

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. In addition to Operation Tarn, members have requested a fuller public inquiries report for the next Legal Committee.

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 end of year reports summarise key learning themes being captured and taken forward by Police Scotland and other organisations involved.

• Members AGREED the need to understand how the reduction in relation to motor claims has been achieved and how that can be built on.

• Members AGREED the need to understand how the learning from lower-level claims can be captured and presented within future reports.