The Business Post reported on August 1, 2026 that criminal lawyers would continue their action while highlighting ongoing issues with the criminal legal aid scheme, following a meeting on Friday, July 31 at which more than 200 criminal defence solicitors overwhelmingly agreed to extend their withdrawal of services into August. Our criminal defence team represents legally aided clients in the District Court every day and is directly affected by the scheme at the centre of this dispute.
Ferrys Solicitors was among the firms at that meeting. Solicitors had considered amendments to the scheme set out by the Minister for Justice in a letter to the Law Society on July 28, and rejected them.
The issues that remain
The amendments kept the central feature solicitors object to: a single flat fee of €520 per case regardless of the number of separate prosecutions or court appearances. Ferrys' objection is practical. If a case requires 10 remand appearances, the effective fee is €52 per appearance. After 20 appearances it is €26. The firm cannot staff a District Court practice on that basis.
The scheme also treats all adjournments as though solicitors sought them. In Ferrys' experience most arise from State delays: awaiting DPP directions, disclosure, probation or psychiatric reports, or places in addiction services. Many clients face several separate prosecutions at a single sitting, each of which requires work.
The certificate numbers
The Department said 344 legal aid certificates had issued under the new scheme up to July 28. Ferrys partner Tony Collier said that number must be considered against a total of 98,617 certificates issued in 2025, an average of more than 1,800 a week. Solicitors also pointed out that the 344 includes certificates assigned by judges to solicitors who had not requested them and had not taken them up.
What the extension means
During the August recess, the withdrawal affects people in garda detention and those appearing at special and emergency District Court sittings. Ferrys continues to represent clients assigned under the old scheme and juvenile clients.
Following the meeting, the Law Society wrote to the Minister setting out what solicitors require to reach a resolution. The High Court judicial review of the scheme concluded on July 31, with judgment due in October.