John Barrett

Summary

The request sought details on John Barrett's payment for representing the Cabinet Office at the Area Plan for the East inquiry and the availability of legal aid for opposing residents. The authority disclosed Barrett's hourly rate and explained that legal aid is unavailable for such inquisitorial processes.

Key Facts

• John Barrett was appointed to represent the Cabinet Office at the Public Inquiry for the Area Plan for the East.
• Barrett was paid a negotiated rate of £200 per hour for preparation and attendance.
• Legal Aid is not available for residents opposing the Cabinet Office in this inquiry.
• The unavailability of Legal Aid is because inquiries are not prescribed by Schedule 1 of the Legal Aid Act 1986.
• The inquiry is described as an inquisitorial process acting for the public at large rather than an adversarial legal proceeding.

Data Disclosed

• £200
• 2019-09-26
• 2019-10-09
• 980113
• Legal Aid Act 1986
• Schedule 1
• Freedom of Information Act 2015

Original Request

How much is John Barrett being paid to represent the Cabinet Office at the public inquiry into the Area Plan for the East? Was there any legal aid option open to residents or residents groups who wished to opposed the cabinet office in the inquiry?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 980113 9 October 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 26 September 2019 and which states:

"How much is John Barrett being paid to represent the Cabinet Office at the public inquiry into the Area Plan for the East? Was there any legal aid option open to residents or residents groups who wished to opposed the cabinet office in the inquiry?"

We are pleased to supply the requested information. Mr John Barrett was appointed at a negotiated rate of £200 per hour for preparation and attendance at the Public Inquiry for the Area Plan for the East. Legal Aid is not available because inquiries are not prescribed by Schedule 1 of the Legal Aid Act 1986. Regarding the appointment of legal representation for the Cabinet Office, it is important to bear in mind that Cabinet Office is acting for the public at large to ensure adequate zoning of all types of land and not for or against any particular party. It is an inquisitorial process and not adversarial and so does not have the same degree of determination of individuals rights as legal proceedings for which Legal Aid can be granted. Please quote the reference number 980113 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely