Tempers fray in talks between department and solicitor's office over pay for new lawyers

The CSSO had been looking to restore pay for new entrants to old rates that applied before starting salaries were cut.

The Department of Public Expenditure accused the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) of being “unreasonable” as tempers frayed in discussions over starting pay for new lawyers at the legal offices.

The CSSO had been looking to restore pay for new entrants to old rates that applied before starting salaries were cut. However, negotiations turned acrimonious last year with the Department of Public Expenditure complaining of how little time they were being given to consider new information.