Legal fees 'at highest level in six years'

Legal fees are reported to be at their highest level in six years according to Government economic advisors.

The National Competitiveness Council said lawyers' bills have failed to decrease significantly, despite the recession.

Today's Irish Times also links high legal fees with the rising cost of insurance premiums.

Insurers claim that legal costs, coupled with higher-than-expected damages awards, are behind a 30% rise in car insurance in the past year.