The Courts Service has said 55 solicitors have resigned from the criminal legal aid panel after the Government introduced a flat fee for those representing clients in criminal cases in district courts.
Hundreds of solicitors have withdrawn their services from the free legal aid scheme in recent weeks in protest at the new payment system.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan introduced a new flat rate of €520 for solicitors for representing a legal aid client in a criminal case, which came into effect on July 1.
The Law Society has warned the move could have a devastating impact on access to justice, with concerns that defendants could face delays in securing legal representation and that court proceedings will continue to be disrupted.
To discuss the ongoing dispute, what it means for solicitors, and the potential impact on the justice system, we were joined in-studio on The Agenda this morning by Drogheda criminal solicitor Paddy Goodwin.