Lawyers in fight for €2,500-a-day Tribunal fees

THE Government is set for a bruising showdown with barristers over its decision to slash legal fees in a bid to stem the escalating costs of Tribunals.

Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy yesterday announced that, from September, senior counsels hired for new Tribunals or inquiries would no longer be able to command fees of between €2,000 and €2,500 per day.

Instead, fees will be set at well under half that rate and will be based on the salary of a High Court judge.