❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Attorney General regarding the State Solicitor's Office's partnering arrangement with Ashurst for legal advice on the insolvent Griffin Coal, focusing on the legal brief, retainer terms, staffing, and billing practices. The Attorney General provides answers regarding the author and date of the brief, the nature of the partnering arrangement, staffing numbers, and billing frequency.
AnsweredQoN 1391Legislative Council
Asked
9 November 2023
Member
Portfolio
parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General
QuestionView source ↗
GRIFFIN COAL —
CONSULTANTS
1391. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
I refer to my questions without
notice 1273 and 1301 of 18 and 19 October 2023 on the partnering arrangement
between the State Solicitor's Office and Ashurst for the provision of
legal advice relating to the foreign-owned and insolvent Griffin Coal.
(1) In the
retaining of Ashurst by the SSO to advise on the insolvent Griffin Coal, who or
whom wrote the legal brief?
(2) When was the legal brief signed
off, and who were the signatories to the brief?
(3) What are the terms of the retainer between SSO and
Ashurst, and is there a cap or limit on potential billings by Ashurst?
(4) As at
November 2023, how many Ashurst employees or operatives are engaged in or
contributing to the partnering arrangement for the provision of legal services
for Griffin Coal?
(5) What is the
frequency of the billings and invoice structure and the process that Ashurst
applies to the partnership arrangement relating to Griffin Coal?
CONSULTANTS
1391. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
I refer to my questions without
notice 1273 and 1301 of 18 and 19 October 2023 on the partnering arrangement
between the State Solicitor's Office and Ashurst for the provision of
legal advice relating to the foreign-owned and insolvent Griffin Coal.
(1) In the
retaining of Ashurst by the SSO to advise on the insolvent Griffin Coal, who or
whom wrote the legal brief?
(2) When was the legal brief signed
off, and who were the signatories to the brief?
(3) What are the terms of the retainer between SSO and
Ashurst, and is there a cap or limit on potential billings by Ashurst?
(4) As at
November 2023, how many Ashurst employees or operatives are engaged in or
contributing to the partnering arrangement for the provision of legal services
for Griffin Coal?
(5) What is the
frequency of the billings and invoice structure and the process that Ashurst
applies to the partnership arrangement relating to Griffin Coal?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the parliamentary
secretary representing the Attorney General, I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following response has been provided by the Attorney General.
(1) The State Solicitor's
Office.
(2) On 2 December 2022.
(3) As the member
was previously advised, the State Solicitor's Office and Ashurst are
providing legal services under a partnering arrangement. The value and duration
of the Ashurst agreement is dependent on the legal services required and the
allocation of legal services between the State Solicitor's Office and
Ashurst, as determined by the State Solicitor's Office.
(4) Eighteen solicitors from Ashurst
have worked on various issues relating to this matter.
(5) Bills are issued at the end of
each month in which Ashurst undertakes work on this matter,.
secretary representing the Attorney General, I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following response has been provided by the Attorney General.
(1) The State Solicitor's
Office.
(2) On 2 December 2022.
(3) As the member
was previously advised, the State Solicitor's Office and Ashurst are
providing legal services under a partnering arrangement. The value and duration
of the Ashurst agreement is dependent on the legal services required and the
allocation of legal services between the State Solicitor's Office and
Ashurst, as determined by the State Solicitor's Office.
(4) Eighteen solicitors from Ashurst
have worked on various issues relating to this matter.
(5) Bills are issued at the end of
each month in which Ashurst undertakes work on this matter,.
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