Withdrawal of services by solicitors not justified, says Taoiseach

By David Young, Press Association

A withdrawal of service by criminal defence solicitors in Dublin is not justified and should not happen, the Taoiseach has said.

The two-day stoppage across courts in the city marks an escalation of an increasingly vexed row between the profession and Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan over reforms to the legal aid system.

Solicitors have criticised the implementation of a flat fee for their work with criminal legal aid clients regardless of how many appearances are involved in the case.

Up to 200 solicitors have indicated they would resign from the legal aid panel in protest at the move – impacting several proceedings.

The two-day stoppage in Dublin comes ahead of further planned withdrawal of services on several days next week.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was asked about the dispute as he arrived at Government Buildings for a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

“I don’t believe that the action should take place,” he said.

“There is a need for reform in terms of that system, no question about that.

“Government collectively decided on these reforms following a presentation by the Minister of Justice some time ago, and I don’t think the actions in terms of withdrawing services are justified because that’s, I think, not fair to all involved in terms of court cases and so on like that, and the criminal justice system, and that would be my view on that.”

Solicitors opposed to the new system have called on Mr O’Callaghan to engage with them to find a resolution.