✅ FOI: Authorisation & instruction process information for external legal services, Anderson Strathern in INV-SM11-25.
Request to the Highland & Western Isles Valuation Joint Board.
Sent: 20 January 2026
Due: 17 February 2026
Review Sent: 18 February 2026 🚩
Review Due: 18 March 2026
Received: 18 February 2026
My Ref: 20012026R1
Download documents bundle below.
18 February 2026
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18 February 2026
Dear Roy,
Cheers for the prompt response. I shall look out for it in the post.
Kind regards.
18 February 2026
I can advise that responses to the requests you refer to below were issued by Royal Mail 1st Class signed for yesterday.
Kind regards,
Roy Christie DipSurv MRICS AEA (Cert-Scotland)
Depute Assessor & Electoral Registration Officer
The Highland & Western Isles Valuation Joint Board
Moray House, 16-18 Bank Street, Inverness, IV1 1QY
( 01463 575539
* Roy.Christie1@highland.gov.uk
ü www.saa.gov.uk/h-wi-vjb
18 February 2026
Dear Sirs,
This is a request for review of the following FOI requests that were submitted on the 20 January 2026. The target date for response to those requests was 17 February 2026 and thus far, no response has been received in relation to either request.
1. Authorisation & instruction process information for external legal services, Anderson Strathern in INV-SM11-25.
2. Service Level Agreements & Related Documentation for Legal Services provided by The Highland Council.
The new target date for a response to my request for review is 18 March 2026. If no response is received by that date, an application for a decision will be lodged at the Scottish Information Commissioner.
Thank you for your time & attention.
Kind regards.
20 January 2026
Dear Sirs,
Please provide the following information:
All recorded information held by the HWIVJB (and/or associated council legal services) relating to the instruction of Anderson Strathearn in respect of the case INV-SM11-25, specifically including any internal approvals, emails, notes, forms, or other documentation. This should include:
1.The names of all the officers who authorised, instructed, or signed off on the engagement of the external solicitor, regardless of whether the Assessor’s name appears on formal records.
2. The official role or capacity in which each instructing officer was acting (ie. Solicitor/Clerk to the Board, legal representative of the Assessor, other).
3. The dates on which the instruction was given.
4. The procurement or appointment route used to engage the external solicitor (e.g., framework agreement, direct award, other standing order).
5. Any documents demonstrating that the VJB (or Assessor, as applicable) was the formal client of the external solicitor, and not the council or other party.
6. Please include any internal or external emails, notes, or communications that record or clarify the procurement, authorisation, instruction, or approval of the external solicitor, excluding any content that constitutes legal advice or strategy.
Notes / Clarifications:
1. This request is not requesting any information relating to legal advice, opinion, or strategy, only factual held information about the procurement, authorisation and instruction process.
2. Please include any recorded information that clarifies the actual officers exercising instruction authority, even if the Assessor’s name is used as a nominal or formal signatory.
3. Recorded information may include emails, meeting minutes, internal approvals, finance authorisation forms, or other documentation reflecting decision-making.
Thank you for your time & attention.
Kind regards.