Information relating to the legal case between IPSA and Stewart Jackson MP

IPSA holds the information that you request.  Taking your requests for information in turn:

• How many people in legal staff/representation have been hired to pursue this case against Mr Jackson. Is it just a QC and junior barrister?

• Please include names of the legal team involved in the legal action against Mr Jackson.

• Please clarify what chambers they are part of

IPSA has engaged a legal team consisting of Matrix Chambers and solicitors.  This specifically consists of three individuals: a QC, Helen Mountfield QC; a junior barrister, Kirsten Sjovoll; and a solicitor advising IPSA from Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

Although the names of the QC and junior barrister working on behalf of IPSA are personal data under the Data Protection Act, they have, in this instance, consented to their names being made known.

• How much each of the legal staff hired for the legal action brought against Mr Jackson are being paid. Please clarify the rate (e.g. if per hour/day).

We are withholding this information under Section 43 (2) of the Freedom of Information Act which states that:

“__Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it).”

Section 43 provides an exemption for information which is commercially sensitive.  We have considered whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure and concluded that the balance is in favour of withholding the information.