Over 100 criminal solicitors walk out over aid dispute
Over 100 criminal defence solicitors in Dublin have walked out of court to protest a new legal aid payment scheme they deem unworkable. The Minister for Justice maintains that the reforms are necessary for court efficiency.
Why it matters
The strike highlights a significant conflict between legal professionals and the government regarding the funding and administration of the criminal justice system.
More than 100 criminal defence solicitors walked out of the district courts in Dublin this morning as part of their continued protest against a new legal aid scheme introduced earlier this year.
The solicitors say a new flat fee payment of €520 per client in the district court is unworkable.
Last week they voted unanimously to continue their withdrawal of services which began in June.
Under the old system, a solicitor was paid for each court appearance by a client starting at just over €239 for the first appearance and almost €60 for each subsequent hearing.
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said the old scheme incentivised multiple adjournments and said cases paid for by legal aid took longer to complete than other cases.
Solicitors said that many adjournments were sought by the prosecution.
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