FOI Request 2169

Subject: Prosecution of Total Fire Group Limited

Status: Complete

Date received: June 2025

Question Asked:

I am writing to request the following information in relation to the prosecution of Total Fire Group Limited in the case of R v Advantage and others at Chester Crown Court, case number T20230032 (trial commencing 6 May and concluding 7 May):

1. Legal Costs Incurred

Please provide a detailed breakdown of all legal costs incurred by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service in connection with the above matter, including:

a. External counsel fees (including all preparation, court attendance, conference and calls);

b. External solicitor fees (as above)

c. Internal staff time (including fire officers and the work of those in the police service)

d. Expert witness fees (including all work on reports, conferences and calls);

e. Any additional related investigative expenses; and

f. Court fees

2. Timeline

Confirmation of the financial years during which these costs were incurred (from the fire on 8 August 2019 to the conclusion of the trial on 7 May 2025)

Our Response:

Please see our response below to your Freedom of Information Request.

1. Legal Costs Incurred

Please provide a detailed breakdown of all legal costs incurred by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service in connection with the above matter, including:

a. External counsel fees (including all preparation, court attendance, conference and calls);

This information is provided as it appears on the invoices (no further breakdown is held).

b. External solicitor fees (as above)

This information is provided as it appears on the invoices (no further breakdown in held).

c. Internal staff time (including fire officers and the work of those in the police service)

Total - £459,061.39

• The costs include all of the inspectors’ recorded hours against the prosecution. This involved a significant number of inspectors due to the amount of disclosure material that had to be reviewed before disclosing.

• Internal legal is provided by a Joint Services Agreement between Cheshire Police and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, there is therefore no charge from our legal services for their assistance.

  
  

d. Expert witness fees (including all work on reports, conferences and calls);

£6,375.00

e. Any additional related investigative expenses; and

£1,012.00 (IT)

f. Court fees

N/A

2. Timeline

Confirmation of the financial years during which these costs were incurred (from the fire on 8 August 2019 to the conclusion of the trial on 7 May 2025)

These are all our costs to date from the fire on 8th August 2019 to the conclusion of the trial on 7th May 2025.

Outcome: Information Provided

FOI responded to within timescales: YES

Further action: NO