I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Please provide the following information for the financial years 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24:

1. The number of applications made under section 21A of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in which your local authority has been involved (as applicant, respondent, or other party).

2. The total legal costs incurred by the authority in relation to those s21A applications (including in-house and external representation).

3. If available, a breakdown of those costs by year and/or by internal vs external legal spend.