O'Callaghan and Law Society to begin 'time-bound engagement' on legal aid dispute

Department of Justice and Law society to begin 'time-bound engagement' on legal aid dispute

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan is to be begin a series of meetings with the Law Society to try to resolve the ongoing dispute over legal aid payments. Photo: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire

The Law Society and the Dept of Justice are to meet from this Friday to try to find a resolution to the ongoing criminal aid dispute which is affecting courts across the country.

A delegation from the Law Society, led by its president Rosemarie Loftus, met justice minister Jim O'Callaghan and his officials this morning.

The discussions covered the operation of the new Criminal Legal Aid Scheme and the withdrawal of services by criminal defence solicitors, which is affecting all levels of the criminal courts.

Earlier this year, Mr O'Callaghan introduced a €520 flat fee for criminal legal aid cases, which is designed to be equivalent to five appearances, which was the average under the old scheme plus an 8% increase in fees given to all criminal lawyers.

Under the old system, solicitors were given €240 for a first appearance with a legal aid client and €60 thereafter.

Striking solicitors have rejected the new flat-fee model and withdrawn their services from the courts.

"Both sides agreed on the need to find a resolution without delay, and on the need for further time-bound engagement between their representatives," a Law Society spokesperson said after the meeting with the minister.

"That engagement will commence this Friday October 30 and continue over the next week. The engagement will explore adjustments to address practitioners’ concerns and help deliver an effective and sustainable criminal legal aid system that protects access to justice and commands the confidence of those who use it."

The Department of Justice said: "This engagement will explore areas for adjustments within the scheme to address the concerns being raised by practitioners, while ensuring the purpose of the reform - to speed up case resolution and improve the operation of the District Court – is preserved."

Asked about the talks on Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he hoped “some progress has been made”.

“I would hope that we are on the pathway to resolution,” Mr Martin said.