Now the media should tackle legal expenses

GIVEN that we live in a democratic republic where the rule of law should apply equally to all citizens, where culpability should be fairly apportioned, where parity of blame and punishment should be applied without fear or favour, I regard the decision of the taxing master to reduce a legal bill in a recent judicial review case by a whopping 82% as a welcome development.

It is perhaps indicative of the state’s intention to apply with some equanimity the austerity measures which have been inflicted on workers, the unemployed, the sick and those in receipt of social welfare.

Charles Moran, the taxing master, ruling in a case involving the Personal Injuries Assessment Board and a firm of solicitors, expressed his “disgust and bewilderment” at the level of costs claimed which he described as “revolting in the extreme”.

Fees of €2.143 million claimed were reduced to €393,472 without objection. In one instance, a barrister had his brief fee claim of €75,000 reduced to zero, drawing the comment: “In my 15 years as taxing master, I have never encountered such grossly excessive fees being marked by learned counsel or solicitors”. The same firm of solicitors posted a claim for €10,000 for postage and photocopying services which was subsequently reduced to €1,000, again drawing comment from the taxing master who expressed his “disgust and revulsion” at the level of costs claimed.

As much of the media engages in the relentless pursuit, public exposure and the shaming of politicians for making excessive, and in some cases illegal, claims for travel and sundry expenses from the public purse, why is it that some in the media do not appear to have the same appetite to pursue with an equal vigour those in the legal profession who have been plundering the same public purse with equal greed?

These bogus expenses are not drawn from a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but from the almost empty state coffers which pay for our hospitals, gardaí, unemployed, the sick, our teachers, nurses and many other deserving causes. That well paid politicians and legal eagles continue to loot and plunder this cash is appalling and should perhaps attract the attention of the DPP’s office.

Tom Cooper

Delaford Lawn

Knocklyon

Dublin 16