The council is committed to acting as a model This means more than acting honestly and complying with the law and court rules. The council also undertakes to act with propriety, fairly and in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards.
The council is also committed to managing litigation by or against it as effectively and efficiently as practicable, taking into account the legal, financial and reputational risks. In particular the Council will:
take and defend legal action in accordance with the statutory functions and purpose, the principles of local government, and its strategic and operational objectives
Only initiate litigation, including appeals, where there is a reasonable prospect of success and/or if the ligation is justified in the public interest
deal with litigation promptly and efficiently, without causing unnecessary delay or expense
when responding to litigation, consider the appropriate level of involvement it should have in each case, taking in to account the issues at stake and how important they are to the strategic objectives to the council, the participation of other parties and requirements or expectations of the court
seek to resolve claims as early as appropriate and consider and initiate (where appropriate) alternative means of resolution to avoid litigation
apply a fair and objective approach to handling litigation
not contest matters which it accepts as correct or make unmeritorious arguments for tactical reasons
act decisively and properly to protect and advance its interests as a local
