The Irish Times' Jack White reported on August 27, 2026 that Dublin-based criminal defence solicitors had unanimously agreed to continue their withdrawal of services into September, ahead of the District Courts' return from the summer recess. Our criminal defence solicitors act for clients in the District Court, Circuit Court and Central Criminal Court, much of it under the criminal legal aid scheme.
More than 100 lawyers, representing all but two firms engaged in criminal legal aid work in the capital, met on Thursday and agreed to extend their withdrawal due to an "ongoing impasse" over the fee structure introduced on July 1. Ferrys Solicitors is among those firms.
Ferrys partner Tony Collier said those withdrawing their services "want to be back in the courts doing our job, representing clients who require legal aid and ensuring the administration of justice".
"However, we have reluctantly decided to continue our withdrawal of services into September, as the Minister for Justice is refusing to engage meaningfully with us or our representative body," he said.
Fellow solicitor Michael Finucane said "clear and reasonable" proposals had been made that could resolve the dispute and urged the Minister to "return to the table".
Why the near-unanimity matters
The Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, has repeatedly suggested that most solicitors on the panel are still working. The Irish Times' finding that just two firms in Dublin are believed to have continued working under the scheme confirms what Ferrys has said since June: the firms that carry the bulk of District Court legal aid work have withdrawn.
The impact
The Irish Times reported that the withdrawal is having a significant impact in Dublin, Cork and Limerick and has led to the adjournment of thousands of criminal cases, affecting accused people, witnesses, victims, prosecuting gardaí and the management of court lists.
Those in the dispute will not be available to represent clients on the legal aid scheme in the District Courts or at garda stations in September. Ferrys continues to represent clients assigned under the old scheme and juvenile clients.
The Department's position
The Department of Justice said there had been ongoing engagement since October between the Minister and the Law Society and Bar Council, that the €520 fee was equivalent to five appearances under the old system, and that the structure would remain under review. Meetings in late July had considered the Minister's proposed amendments, which kept the single flat fee.
The scheme is the subject of judicial review proceedings brought by solicitor John Quinn in the High Court.