A number of solicitors who resigned from the criminal legal aid panel in protest at the new District Court fee model have been reinstated, as the wider dispute over criminal legal aid payments continues. 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.
What changed on July 1
The new model, introduced on July 1, provides a single payment of €520 for a District Court criminal legal aid case, regardless of the number of hearings involved. It replaced the previous appearance-based structure, which paid €239.38 for a first appearance and €59.86 for each subsequent appearance.
Why solicitors withdrew from the panel
The reforms have prompted widespread opposition from criminal defence solicitors. Many practitioners have resigned from the legal aid panel or remained on it while declining to accept legal aid work, leading to the adjournment of a significant number of cases.
Twenty-four solicitors reinstated
Recent reporting indicates that 24 solicitors who resigned have since been reinstated to the panel, meaning they may again be assigned criminal legal aid cases. A smaller proportion of those reinstated are understood to be actively undertaking work under the new scheme.
The Minister's position and the solicitors' response
The Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, has maintained that the revised payment system is intended to provide greater certainty, reduce administrative complexity and address concerns associated with the former appearance-based model.
Solicitors opposing the changes have said that the flat-fee structure does not properly recognise the work required in longer or more complex cases. They have also argued that many adjournments arise from state-side issues rather than the actions of defence practitioners.
Tony Collier of Ferrys Solicitors, one of the leading solicitors involved in the Dublin protest, has previously warned of the financial pressure caused by the withdrawal of criminal legal aid work. He has called for meaningful engagement to resolve the dispute and avoid further disruption to court proceedings.
Where the dispute stands
The Law Society has sought independent mediation, while a judicial review challenging the new payment scheme remains ongoing. The position continues to develop as solicitors decide whether to return to the panel and accept work under the revised model.