Our Ref: 9535  

Dear Enquirer,

INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request for information which will be dealt with under
the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, we
will let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

If you have any queries about this matter please contact us. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Please note, that due to the recent outbreak of Covid-19, there may be a
delay in responding to your request. We appreciate your patience at this
busy period.

Kind regards

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

Our Ref: 9535   

Dear Mr Pumpkin,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST

I refer to your Freedom of Information request, 9535, in relation to Legal
Spend.

Right of Access

Section 1(1) of the Act provides any person making a request for
information to a public authority is entitled.

(a) to be informed in writing by the public authority whether it holds
information of the description specified in the request (which Section
1(6) of the Act

 designates as the "duty to confirm or deny"), and

(b) if that is the case, to have that information communicated to him.

The right is to obtain access to the information itself and not to the
document or record which contains it.

The Act creates a general right of access to information held by public
authorities subject to various exemptions.

Northumberland County Council confirms that it holds the information you
have requested, please see the following information in response.

Q.1 Have any law firms been instructed to provide legal services to you?
If so, please break down by law firm, the date of engagement, nature of
legal work provided, and total cost incurred since 1.1.2021. 

A.1 

[1]

Creation Date  Supplier Name  Nature of Work  Amount    
05/02/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  2,605.00 
05/02/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  212.00 
19/02/2021  BROWNEJACOBSON  Advice  200.00 
19/02/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  1,656.50 
19/02/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  1,052.00 
19/02/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  250.00 
25/02/2021  BROWNEJACOBSON  Advice  316.00 
10/03/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  1,106.94 
17/03/2021  BEACHCROFT LLP  Employment  340.00 
27/03/2021  FREETHS LLP  Advice  4,326.00 
08/04/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  1,106.94 
09/04/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  1,106.94 
09/04/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  206.94 
09/04/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  206.94 
09/04/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  106.94 
07/05/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  250.00 
07/05/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  1,000.00 
28/05/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  2,622.00 
28/05/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  3,875.00 
19/06/2021  MILLS & REEVE  Advice  2,378.40 
19/06/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  1,625.00 
19/06/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  1,025.00 
19/06/2021  EVERSHEDS LLP  Employment  1,075.00 
24/06/2021  FREETHS LLP  Advice  3,690.50 
24/06/2021  FREETHS LLP  Advice  5,829.00 
24/06/2021  FREETHS LLP  Advice  4,974.00 
24/06/2021  FREETHS LLP  Advice  2,213.00 
24/06/2021  SINTONS LLP  Advice  3,060.00 
15/07/2021  VEALE WASBROUGH VIZARDS LLP  Advice  5,213.50 

 
Q.2 Please provide a list of all gifts and hospitality declarations
relating to law firms made by staff and board members of the Council. 

A.2 None 

Complaints

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been
handled, you can request an internal review by writing within 2 months
from the date of this response to the Information Governance Office:

Information Governance Office, Northumberland County Council, County
Hall, Morpeth, NE61 2EF
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]

Information Commissioner

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have a
right by Section 50 of the Act to apply to the Information Commissioner
for a decision as to whether your request has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act at:

The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water
Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113, Email: [email address]

There is no charge for making an appeal.

Yours faithfully, 

Taylor

FOI Coordinator – Legal Service
Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

References

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Our Ref: 9535   

Dear Mr Pumpkin,

INTERNAL REVIEW OF FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request for an internal review received 09/08/2021 into
the response to your Freedom of Information request received on
21/07/2021.

A Senior Officer independent of the original response will review all
correspondence and write to you with our final response by 07/09/2021.

Kind regards

Taylor

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

Dear Mr Pumpkin
Please find attached the response to the Internal Review conducted for
9535.

kind regards

Julia

Information Governance Office

(t)  0345 600 6400

(e) [email address]

 
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References

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