Council leads payouts list

Almost half a million pounds has been paid out over five years by Midlothian Council for legal fees to fight equal pay cases and employment tribunals, it was reported today.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information act reveal that the county paid out more than any other in Scotland, a total of 496,746.

West Lothian also made it into the top ten, after paying out 125,451. Edinburgh did not provide figures.

In all, around 3.5 million has been spent by councils across Scotland on the fees. Midlothian council said that it had a small in-house legal team and so was forced to buy in specialised advice from external companies.