Solicitors to consider Minister’s changes in criminal defence legal fee payments aimed at resolving dispute

Criminal defense lawyers are set to consider changes to criminal legal aid payments proposed by the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan. These adjustments are intended to end a contentious dispute that has led to work stoppages across Ireland's criminal courts.

The core of the disagreement lies in the introduction of a flat fee payment for legal aid cases. While O’Callaghan is maintaining the €520 flat fee for District Court criminal legal aid cases, he has agreed to a revised payment structure. Under this new plan, two-thirds of the fee will be paid at the start of a case, with the remaining third due at its conclusion or 12 months later, whichever comes first. This change has no additional cost to the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.

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will remain in place

Despite the Minister's efforts to break the deadlock, sources within the legal profession expressed skepticism, suggesting the proposals fall "well short" of the reforms defense lawyers are demanding. The withdrawal of services, which began last month, has significantly disrupted court proceedings, causing thousands of cases, particularly in the District Courts, to be adjourned.

The Minister also confirmed that new legal aid certificates can be issued for distinct charges and that officials will review the scheme's operation in the Children's Court and for cases with over 20 appearances. Solicitors who previously resigned from the criminal legal aid panel can be reinstated by requesting it from the Courts Service.

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well short