Ferrys Solicitors partner Tony Collier gave TheJournal.ie the solicitors' statement on August 27, 2026 after more than 100 Dublin criminal defence solicitors voted unanimously to continue their withdrawal of services into September, when the District Courts return from the summer recess. Our criminal defence solicitors represent clients at every stage of criminal proceedings, from Garda station advice through District Court hearings.
"We want to be back in the courts doing our job, representing clients who require legal aid and ensuring the administration of justice," Mr Collier said. "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."
Solicitor Michael Finucane added that clear and reasonable proposals had been made by solicitors that could resolve the dispute, and urged the Minister to "return to the table" so that the criminal justice system could start to function properly again.
What it means for Ferrys' clients in September
Solicitors engaged in the dispute, including Ferrys, will not be available to represent clients on the legal aid scheme in the District Courts or at garda stations when full sittings resume. Clients assigned under the old scheme before July 1 and juvenile clients continue to be represented.
Ferrys' reluctance is genuine. The firm's criminal defence team has spent the summer watching cases adjourned, clients unrepresented in custody and the backlog growing. The decision to continue reflects the fact that the scheme as amended still pays a flat €520 per client regardless of how many appearances or how complex the case.
The Minister's remarks
Earlier in the week, the Minister said he hoped the courts would resume normal operations after he made a number of concessions. Asked if he expected to make more, he said he would engage with the Law Society but added: "One of my concerns is every time I make a concession, the Law Society just bag it and say, 'Well, we want more'."
The Law Society described those remarks as "fundamentally unhelpful commentary". Ferrys' view is that the concessions to date, an increase from €455 to €520 and staged payment, do not address the structural problem of a single fee per client, and that the proposals solicitors have put forward are specific and reasonable.