Legislation targets high legal bills

PROPOSED legislation to deal with grossly excessive legal bills is to be introduced sometime next year.

Speaking in the Dáil, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan confirmed that the Judicial Council Bill, which provides for the regulation and assessment of legal costs, is to be brought forward and will be published by the end of the year.

Ms Coughlan was responding to a question from Labour Party justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte, following a ruling from Taxing Master Charles Moran who granted just €393,472 of a €2.1 million legal bill.