Playford Council is keeping the mounting legal bill secret as it battles former CEO Mal Hemmerling in the courts

Playford Council ratepayers are being kept in the dark about escalating legal costs as the council hires one of the state’s top QCs to fight its former chief executive in court. Sources say “the public needs to know” about the estimated six-figure legal bill.

Former Playford Council CEO Dr Mal Hemmerling and Mayor Glenn Docherty in 2015.

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Ratepayers in Adelaide’s northern suburbs are being kept in the dark about their council’s mounting legal bill fighting its former boss with the help of one of the state's leading lawyers.

Despite spending public money, Playford Council is keeping its legal costs surrounding the workplace dispute secret as it battles former chief executive officer Mal Hemmerling, 72, in the courts.

The state’s former highest-paid council boss sued in December over his suspension — a day before being sacked from his $372,878 a year job over alleged repeated misconduct and sexual harassment.

Sources claim the council, which covers some of South Australia’s most economically challenged areas, now faces a legal bill approaching $350,000.

“The public needs to know this cost,” said one source.

Legal experts also said ratepayers should be kept informed.

“My view as a general rule is there should be disclosure of the expenditure of public money by public authorities,” said Adelaide University senior Law School lecturer Paul Leadbeter, a local government specialist.

“But the timing of that … may be important, bearing in mind the circumstances of why that money is being spent.”

Sam Abbott QC, one of South Australia’s leading barristers, has been engaged by Playford Council in the Hemmerling case, court documents reveal.

Meanwhile, court documents show the council has engaged leading Bar Chambers silk Sam Abbott QC, who charges $500 an hour, alongside barrister Damian O’Leary from Howard Zelling Chambers, who is said to charge $350 an hour.

The documents show the council has changed law firms during its litigation, replacing Kelledy Jones law firm with Norman Waterhouse.

Playford has instructed another two major law firms and at least three employment mediation companies to investigate workplace problems.

Ratepayers are also paying for a private public relations firm’s advice.

But under orders from acting chief executive Sam Green, Ball PR has refused to disclose any costs.

Dr Hemmerling is threatening more legal action.

Ball PR said all spending “will be subject to council’s normal financial reporting obligations”.

It said a separate independent law firm was needed to investigate allegations of a “very sensitive nature”.