Bar 'extremely concerned' legal aid dispute unresolved
The Bar of Ireland has expressed deep concern over an ongoing criminal legal aid dispute that has caused significant court adjournments. Lawyers are withdrawing services in protest of new fee structures, with the Bar urging the Minister for Justice to mediate before the new legal year begins.
Why it matters
The disruption of the criminal justice system impacts the rights of victims and the accused, creating a significant legal bottleneck.
The council of The Bar of Ireland said it is extremely concerned that the criminal legal aid dispute has not yet been resolved.
It said the prospect of continuing disruption on the advent of the new legal year is of the "utmost gravity".
The dispute has resulted in large scale adjournments of criminal business across all court jurisdictions, including the Circuit Criminal Court and the Central Criminal Court, since July.
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has defended his reforms to the legal aid fee structure, which prompted a withdrawal of services by lawyers on the scheme.
Mr O'Callaghan has also rebuffed a request from the Law Society for the appointment of a mediator to help resolve the dispute over the new criminal legal aid scheme.
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