Attorney General's Chambers

Overview

Outcome Breakdown

Requests by Year

Top Topics

• Policing & Criminal Justice (20 requests)
• Finance & Tax (15 requests)
• Transport & Roads (15 requests)
• Planning & Housing (14 requests)
• Other (11 requests)

Notable Cases (32)

[-] Correspondence between AG's chambers and UK Ministry of Justice

2026-02-03 | No information sent - all held but exempt

A request was made for correspondence between the Attorney General's Chambers and the UK Ministry of Justice regarding the Assisted Dying Bill 2023 since February 2025. The authority confirmed holding the information but refused disclosure citing legal professional privilege and international relations exemptions.

• The request covered correspondence regarding the Assisted Dying Bill 2023 from February 2025 onwards.
• The Attorney General's Chambers confirmed holding the requested information.
• The Bill is identified as a private members bill for which the AG provided drafting services.

Data: 5275313, 2026-02-03, 2026-02-26, February 2025, Assisted Dying Bill 2023

Exemptions: Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Legal professional privilege); Section 29 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (International relations)

[~] Fallen Stock and AWPP

2025-09-08 | Not required to fulfill request

A request for communications regarding the Animal Waste Processing Plant and fallen stock held by the Attorney General's Chambers was refused because fulfilling it would require substantial compilation of information.

• The request was received on 2025-09-08 and the outcome was issued on 2025-09-22.
• The authority refused the request under section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The refusal was based on the requirement to undertake substantial compilation or collation of information under section 8(3)(c).

Data: 2025-09-08, 2025-09-22, 1st September 2023, 5th September 2025, section 11(3)(b)

Exemptions: Section 11(3)(b) - Practical refusal reason (substantial compilation); Section 8(3)(c) - Not required to undertake substantial compilation; Section 40 - Legal Professional Privilege

[-] Documentation including electronic, in possession, custody or control.

2025-08-05 | No information sent - all held but exempt

The applicant requested instructions given by the Attorney General's Chambers to DEFA regarding a 2019 appeal and 2020-2021 ADS application processing. The authority refused to release information, stating they do not hold the records and that any such advice would be subject to legal professional privilege.

• The request concerns instructions allegedly given to DEFA following complaints to the Cabinet Office in July 2019 and April 2021.
• The Attorney General's Chambers clarified that they provide legal advice to government departments rather than issuing direct instructions.
• The authority stated they do not hold the requested information after taking reasonable steps to find it.

Data: 2 July 2019, April 2021, £300, 2020, 2021

Exemptions: Section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held); Legal professional privilege

[+] KWC Annual Accounts & Annual Reports 2020-2024

2025-06-09 | All information sent

The request sought receipt and acceptance dates for King William's College annual accounts from 2020 to 2024, along with correspondence regarding the 2024 submission. The Attorney General's Chambers disclosed the 2024 accounts, relevant emails, and specific processing dates for all requested years, noting significant delays and re-submissions for the 2021-2023 periods.

• The 2024 Annual Accounts and related correspondence were provided to the requester.
• Accounts for 2021, 2022, and 2023 were returned to the charity on 26/03/2024 and re-submitted on 19/04/2024.
• The 2021, 2022, and 2023 accounts were all accepted on the same date: 12/11/2024.

Data: 01/03/2021, 11/11/2021, 25/02/2022, 26/03/2024, 19/4/2024

[~] emergency power legislation 2020

2025-05-22 | Information not held

The applicant requested confirmation regarding 2020 emergency power legislation updates and the legal use of end-of-life drugs like Midazolam on the Isle of Man. The Attorney General's Chambers refused to provide legal advice, citing that the information was not held, but directed the applicant to public legislation websites and specific acts for self-research.

• The request was refused under section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 as the authority does not hold the specific legal advice requested.
• The authority directed the applicant to www.legislation.gov.im for primary and secondary legislation details.
• Midazolam is referenced in the Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Regulations 2005.

Data: 2020, January or February of 2020, 1936, 2005, 22 May 2025

Exemptions: Section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)

[-] Settlement Agreements

2024-12-31 | Some information sent but part exempt

The requester asked for statistics on Settlement Agreements issued by the Attorney General's Chambers since September 2021 and a blank template. The authority refused to compile the statistics citing practical refusal reasons but provided a template previously issued by the Manx Industrial Relations Service.

• The request was received on 31 December 2024 and responded to on 2 January 2025.
• The Attorney General's Chambers does not hold a blank Settlement Agreement template.
• A template from the Manx Industrial Relations Service (MIRS) was attached instead.

Data: 31 December 2024, 2 January 2025, September 2021, 4339571, £XXXXX

Exemptions: Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Practical Refusal); Section 8(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Create or derive information); Section 8(3)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Substantial compilation or collation)

[~] SEA PEGASUS DRAFTING SERVICES LIMITED

2024-07-18 | Upheld - full

The applicant requested unredacted contracts, payment details, and cost-benefit analyses for SEA PEGASUS DRAFTING SERVICES LIMITED from the Attorney General's Chambers. The Information Commissioner upheld the request, ruling that the authority's blanket refusal based on confidentiality was inappropriate and ordered the release of the information.

• The request was submitted on 2024-07-18 to the Attorney General's Chambers.
• The Authority initially refused to provide any information citing confidentiality.
• The Information Commissioner determined that public authority contracts do not qualify as 'information provided in confidence'.

Data: 2024-07-18, 2026-02-04, DN 2026_01, Section 42, 2015

Exemptions: Section 42 (Information provided in confidence)

[-] External legal services paid for by AG's Chambers.

2023-10-26 | Some information sent but part exempt

The request sought total payments made by the Attorney General's Chambers to external lawyers for the years 2018 through 2022. The authority disclosed the specific monetary amounts for all requested years, noting that a practical refusal reason applied to any further analysis or compilation of data.

• The Attorney General's Chambers paid £280,270 to external lawyers in 2022.
• Payments to external lawyers increased from £89,196 in 2018 to £268,274 in 2021.
• The response cited section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 as a practical refusal reason for creating or compiling additional information.

Data: £280,270, £89,196, £228,504, £249,940, £268,274

Exemptions: Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Practical refusal reason); Section 8(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Create or derive information); Section 8(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Undertake research or analysis); Section 8(3)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Substantial compilation or collation)

[-] Cost of running Attorney General's Chambers

2023-09-14 | Some information sent but part exempt

A request for staffing numbers and operational costs of the Attorney General's Chambers was partially fulfilled, disclosing headcounts for lawyers and non-lawyers while refusing remuneration and rent data due to practical refusal reasons.

• There are 36 qualified lawyers currently employed at the Attorney General's Chambers.
• There are 45 non-lawyer staff members currently employed at the Chambers.
• The authority does not hold separate information regarding total remuneration for legal versus non-legal roles.

Data: 36, 45, 2023-09-14, 2023-09-21, 33-34 Circular Road

Exemptions: Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (practical refusal: creation or derivation of information); Section 8(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (not required to create information); Section 8(3)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (not required to undertake substantial compilation); Section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (information not held)

[~] legislation

2023-08-23 | Some information sent but not all held

The request sought a list of primary and subsidiary legislation drafted by external suppliers over the last five years, but the authority only disclosed details for two specific bills while refusing the rest due to lack of records, personal data, and confidentiality clauses.

• The Attorney General's Chambers received the request on 2023-08-23 and responded on 2023-09-20.
• Information was partially withheld because the authority does not hold or cannot find some of the requested data.
• Some information was exempted as it constitutes personal data of which the requester is not the data subject.

Data: 2023-08-23, 2023-09-20, 3356165, 2018, 2020

Exemptions: Section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held or cannot be found); Section 25(2)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Personal data); Section 26 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Actionable breach of confidence)

[+] hours logged to public sector clients

2023-08-17 | All information sent

The request sought metadata on hours logged by category for public sector clients by the Attorney General's Chambers for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years. The authority responded by sending all requested information, including detailed time analysis reports listing hours spent on various activities for multiple government departments.

• The request was made on 2023-08-17 and the outcome was 'All information sent' on 2023-09-15.
• The response included 55 pages across 3 documents containing time analysis reports.
• Data covers activities such as drafting, court time, research, and correspondence for clients including the Cabinet Office and Department of Health and Social Care.

Data: 2021/22, 2022/23, 55, 3, 5.42

[~] specific tribunal costs and hours

2022-09-16 | Some information sent but not all held

The request sought total legal costs and hourly breakdowns for the Mr Graeme Jones tribunal; the authority disclosed detailed billable hours but refused to provide financial cost data as it was not held.

• The Attorney General's Chambers does not hold information regarding the financial costs of the Employment and Equality Tribunal case.
• A total of 582.42 hours were recorded for direct instruction on the EET case between January 2021 and September 2022.
• An additional 30.39 hours were incurred in 2022 for third-party disclosure orders related to the case.

Data: 582.42, 30.39, 2021, 2022, 16 September 2022

Exemptions: Section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015

[-] Running costs Attourney Generals Office

2022-08-30 | Some information sent but part exempt

The request sought wage costs for the Attorney General's Office and details regarding legal actions against Dr Ranson, including decision-making levels and total costs. The authority provided links to public accounts for wage data, clarified that litigation decisions rest with the client, and disclosed specific legal fees while citing exemptions for information already available online.

• Wage cost information for 2020-2021 is available in public government accounts ('Light Blue Book', 'Dark Blue Book', 'Pink Book').
• The Attorney General's Chambers does not hold information on the internal decision level for appealing against Dr Ranson, as that decision belongs to the instructing litigating party.
• Specific legal fees disclosed include £1,125.00 plus VAT prior to the Tribunal main hearing and £1,631.25 plus VAT after the Decision and Reasons.

Data: April 2020 to April 2021, 2022-08-30, 2022-09-26, 11 May 2022, 12 May to 30 August 2022

Exemptions: Section 20(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information accessible to applicant by other means); Section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Practical refusal reason: information not held)

[+] case management software, optional modules and associated costs

2022-08-09 | All information sent

The request sought detailed cost breakdowns for the Prescient+ case management system and information on digital systems used by the Attorney General's Chambers. The authority disclosed the specific first-year costs for the software, configuration, training, and support, though the response regarding Manx Care system access was cut off in the provided text.

• The Attorney General's Chambers uses the Prescient+ case management system.
• The Civil Litigation team has limited access to Manx Care's 'Protocol' system.
• The Civil Litigation team has limited access to Manx Care's SharePoint site.

Data: £46,600, £10,545, £12,000, £69,145, 2014

[+] Dr Rosalind Ranson

2022-05-11 | All information sent

The requester asked for the total bill for legal services related to the Dr Rosalind Ranson tribunal. The Attorney General's Chambers disclosed the total external fees paid and the internal hours spent by counsel, clarifying that internal time is not billed back to government departments.

• Total external fees charged and paid for the tribunal were £43,528.80.
• The last external expense was charged on 11 February 2022.
• Attorney General's Chambers counsel spent 508 billable hours on the case.

Data: £43,528.80, 11/02/2022, 508 hours, 2022-05-11, 2022-06-09

Most Cited Exemptions

See Also

• Transparency Scorecard
• Outcome Trends