Solicitors Stop Free Legal Aid Cases Over New €520 Flat Fee From July 1

Solicitors are ceasing to take free legal aid cases in protest against new fee reforms, effective July 1. This follows Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan's confirmation of a €520 flat fee for criminal legal aid, replacing the previous system of payment per court appearance.

Law Society President Rosemarie Loftus stated that solicitors nationwide are resigning from the criminal legal aid scheme, warning of a «devastating impact» on access to justice for vulnerable individuals, including crime victims, children, and those with addiction or mental health issues. She criticized the Department of Justice's move as a «cost-cutting exercise dressed up as reform,» based on flawed assumptions and pushed through without proper groundwork.

Minister O'Callaghan defended the €520 flat fee, which replaces payments of €239.38 for a first appearance and €59.86 for subsequent hearings, as a measure to increase efficiency and combat «abuses going on in the system,» such as multiple payments for persons charged with more than one offence. He believes the new fee is «very generous» and will streamline district court proceedings. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon called the minister's actions «reckless,» leading to the criminal aid system being «brought to a standstill.»