Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has increased the proposed flat fee for criminal legal aid solicitors in the district court to €520 from the original proposal of €455.
The new fee regime, due to come into effect on Wednesday, has generated considerable anger among solicitors who have been engaging in escalating action.
That action now looks likely to increase further, following the minister’s decision to stick to the flat fee proposal, albeit at a higher rate.
More than 300 criminal legal aid solicitors met virtually this evening.
Solicitor Tony Collier of Ferrys Solicitors said the minister was treating criminal law solicitors with contempt and ignoring submissions made by the Law Society.
He said blaming solicitors for delays in the district court showed a fundamental lack of understanding of the system.
Solicitors provide legal aid services on an individual basis and Mr Collier said discussions were being held about whether they would continue to provide the service.
He said the State was obliged to make provision for legal aid for people who could not afford a lawyer and private practitioners had, until now, provided a service to the State which was excellent value for money. He said it was very disappointing that Mr O’Callaghan had taken this approach.
Earlier, Cork solicitors said they would individually resign from the criminal legal aid panel if the minister went ahead with his plan.
They have already withdrawn from all criminal legal aid work with the exception of ongoing trials.
Dublin solicitors have withdrawn from most work involving clients on bail and are not available to go to garda stations or take calls from clients in garda stations.
Mr Collier said he expected solicitors in Dublin would also decide that the time had come to increase the scope of their withdrawal of services.
The Council of the Law Society of Ireland held an emergency meeting tonight to discuss the issue.
Under the new system, solicitors will be paid one fee per defendant regardless of the number of appearances.
A flat fee of €455 had been proposed by the department but the minister is expected to tell the Oireachtas Justice Committee tomorrow that he is proposing the higher fee of €520 per client.
This fee will apply regardless of the number of charges a defendant faces.
The minister will tell the committee he has increased the proposed fee having taken into account submissions made by the Law Society that legal aid is often granted to more vulnerable people, which can affect the number of adjournments.
He will also tell the committee that his officials will keep the new arrangements under review.