FOI003658 FOI Legal Services

I would like the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

In relation to qualified solicitors employed within your authority's in-house legal team (including any shared legal service) please confirm:

1.    Whether your authority pays, in full, the annual Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) practising certificate fee on behalf of its employed solicitors, as part of a bulk renewal or otherwise?                  
2.    If not, are employed solicitors required to pay for their own practising certificate, in full or in part, personally?
3.    If solicitors are required to pay personally, what percentage of any part payment is covered by the authority?
4.    If solicitors are required to pay personally, is this offset by way of salary sacrifice, reimbursement scheme, allowance, or other benefit?
5.    Has your approach changed, shifting payment from the authority onto individual solicitors, within the last 5 years?