Irish Criminal Legal Aid Solicitors Withdraw Services Over New Payment Model, Affecting Hundreds of Cases

Hundreds of criminal cases across Ireland were adjourned on Wednesday due to a mass withdrawal of services by criminal legal aid solicitors. This action, continuing through Friday and set to intensify next week, protests the Department of Justice’s proposed new payments model for District Court criminal legal aid cases, effective July 1st.

The withdrawal impacts criminal cases in the District, Circuit, Central, Special Criminal Courts, and the Court of Appeal, excluding those involving accused persons in custody, juveniles, or priority sexual offense cases with young people. The Law Society of Ireland has called for meaningful discussions with the department.

In Dublin, several Central and Circuit Criminal Court cases were adjourned. Judge Paul McDermott noted solicitors should formally indicate service withdrawal. Cases with accused in custody, including two Central Criminal Court sexual offense cases, proceeded. Five of eight Dublin Circuit Criminal Court cases listed for sentence, involving accused on bail, were adjourned. The withdrawal has a nationwide impact, with the Southern Law Association in Cork resolving to withdraw services from Monday.

The department’s proposal replaces the current appearance-based payment system with a single flat-fee per case, aiming to reduce delays. An internal review of 350,000 District Court cases from 2022-2023 noted criminal legal aid expenditure rose from €19 million in 2015 to €37 million in 2024. Solicitors argue the State, not them, is largely responsible for adjournments and resource shortages.