The information came to light after a Freedom of Information request asked why States Property Services engaged a private law firm to handle the case, rather than use its own lawyers.
The States is looking to evict current tenants Belmiro and Manuela de Freitas, who have run the cafe for more than 20 years, after they refused to move out after they lost out on a controversial new tender for the site last year.
Andie Lewis, who organised a petition to keep the current leaseholders in place, which garnered 3,000 signatures, said she believed the real bill could be a lot more.
‘They are not actually giving the complete picture, as they won’t give a breakdown of all the costs,’ she said.
‘All that money to fight two little people trying to run one little kiosk.
‘What a waste.’
In the response to the FOI request, P&R said it had incurred costs of approximately £60,000 with one law firm, which had been accommodated within existing budgets.
‘It is standard practice to engage external lawyers when there is not sufficient capacity within the law officers,’ they said.
‘This ensures that matters are handled efficiently and without delay.’
The committee said it would not give a more detailed breakdown as ‘the disclosure of information could prejudice legal proceedings’.
Pearl Oyster Ltd, which owns Coco and Lola in St Peter Port, was awarded the lease by the States last September, but the de Freitas have remained in situ, and have been running the cafe as normal since reopening in the spring.
The case was originally due to go to court on 15 April, but it was postponed, and a new date for a hearing has not yet been set.
‘The judge adjourned the case back then because he said it was complex,’ said Mrs Lewis.
‘I don’t think the States will ever be able to reclaim these costs and it will be borne by ordinary islanders.’
She added that she believed the States was now interested in mediation.
‘Every time Bel and Manuela asked in the past it was declined,’ she said.
‘Now suddenly they seem to want meetings before the end of the States term.’
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