Solicitors working in Ireland's criminal legal aid system have renewed calls for talks with the Minister for Justice as their protest over the new legal aid fee structure escalates. Our criminal defence solicitors represent clients at every stage of criminal proceedings, from Garda station advice through District Court hearings.
The latest action follows a meeting in Dublin on July 21, 2026, at which solicitors agreed to intensify their protest with complete work stoppages on two days during the week, with a further three-day stoppage planned for the following week.
The dispute centres on changes to the criminal legal aid payment model, which came into effect on July 1, 2026 and replaced the previous per-appearance structure with a new flat-fee system in District Court cases.
Solicitors involved in the protest have said they want direct engagement with the Minister for Justice and have warned that the ongoing dispute risks further disruption to court sittings and access to justice.
Tony Collier of Ferrys Solicitors was among the solicitors involved in the call for talks, as concern continued to grow about the impact of the payment changes on criminal defence work and the operation of the courts.
Recent reporting has indicated that the protest has already caused significant disruption in criminal cases, with practitioners arguing that the revised structure is not workable in longer or more complex matters.
The dispute remains ongoing, with further stoppages planned unless progress is made through discussions with the Department of Justice.